Department of Education Career-Connected Learning Resources
Career-connected learning includes a continuum of structured activities utilizing the partnership between industry and education to engage student learning. Through real or simulated experiences with industry professionals, participants are able to foster first-hand engagement with in-depth application of academic, technical and professional skills to the tasks required of a given career field while meeting specific learning objectives. Career-connected learning is a progression through the two stages of career exploration and work-based learning to support student learning for future success.
Industry Recognized Credentials
Credentials are important milestones for many individual career pathways. Both at the secondary and postsecondary levels, students should have the opportunity to earn education- and work-related credentials that verify skill mastery, educational attainment and the ability to perform a task or operation. Credentials are also valuable to employers, allowing them to determine the skill or education level of job applicants without having to perform an assessment for each one.
Contact Jodie Smith, [email protected], with the Iowa Department of Education to learn more about Work-Based Learning and Industry Recognized Credential resources for school districts.
Iowa Workforce Development Work-Based Learning Resources
Work-based learning (WBL) is an essential tool for developing Iowa’s future workforce. WBL transforms learning by connecting the classroom to hands-on, real-world experiences. Through school-business partnerships, WBL prepares young Iowans for success in a dynamic economy.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education (DOE), is committed to expanding work-based learning opportunities to benefit our future workforce both for students in the classroom and adults in communities across the state.
About Work-Based Learning in Iowa
Information for employers to learn how work-based learning helps students and how employers can build new relationships with potential employees.
Work-Based Learning Programs
As an employer, learn more about apprenticeships, internships and other active work-based learning experiences across Iowa.
Registered Apprenticeships (RA)
Connect with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) to learn how employers can build their workforce pipeline by sponsoring a new RA program or find support with an existing RA program.
Quality Pre-Apprenticeship (QPA)
Learn how a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship helps Iowans explore and ultimately successfully enter a Registered Apprenticeship.
Work-Based Learning Funding Opportunities
Information for employers to learn about funding opportunities that support the growth and development of work-based learning programs in Iowa.
Resources and Contact Information
Additional Iowa Workforce Development work-based learning resources and contact information that can support employers with their work-based learning goals.