Work-based Learning

The term, “work-based learning” means (for the purposes of Perkins V funding):

• Sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable; OR

• Simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.

After consultation with various stakeholder groups, such as business/industry partners, school administration, Workforce Development Council, etc., the overwhelming majority agreed that the state indicator should be work-based learning opportunities. Based on this feedback, the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education has determined the secondary program quality indicator will be the percentage of CTE concentrators graduated from high school having participated in work-based learning. This guidance has been developed to clarify the components of this secondary program quality indicator. It will provide definitions and examples of work-based learning experiences. An explanation of the use of Career Ready Practices is also included. Data will only be collected once throughout a student’s high school years.

• Fill the demand for a trained workforce within the state of ND.

• Provide early exposure to careers and prepare students to be successful in the workplace

• Create a bridge between education and the labor market so students will be Choice Ready, and communities will flourish.

• Engage students, develop a career mindset, and inspire the development of career goals.

North Dakota Work-based Learning will meet goals by –

• Collaborating with industry professionals, community stakeholders, students, and educators to create quality work-experiences.

• Emphasizing the connection between core education and the workplace.

• Facilitating Career Exploration prior to work experience.

• Teaching young people, the transferrable skills they need to be successful.

• Preparing students for the work-based learning experiences and Preparing students to be an asset in the workplace.

• Creating customized training plans for skill development and assessment.

• Preparing employers to provide training for students as potential future employees.

• Documenting work experience for academic credit.

• Creating quality simulated work experiences, project-based learning experiences and other approved WBL activities.

• Documenting the WBL Activity for credit.

• Fostering a career mindset.

• Making education relevant to careers.

• Producing Choice Ready high school graduates.

• Expand educational opportunities in all classes.

Assessment for each CTE concentrator having participated in work-based learning must include the use of the five following Career Ready Practices (CRP):

• 1)  Responsible Employee

• 2)  Technical Skills

• 4)  Communication 

• 8)  Problem Solving

• 12) Teamwork

Career Ready Practices/Rubrics

• Endorsed Work-based Learning Coordinators

• Recordings: Work-based Learning Coordinator Monthly Collaboration Meetings

• Work-based Learning Guidance

  • Work-based Learning Guidance (Word)

• Work-based Learning Employer Toolkit

• Work-Based Learning as a Talent Pipeline Webinar Recording | Job Service North Dakota

• WBL Coordinator Endorsement Information

• WBL Coordinator Job Description

• WBL Coordinator Grant 

• O*Net Resources for Creating Standards-Based Competencies

• ACTE Work-based Learning Division

• North Dakota CTE Facts

• WBL Frequently Asked Questions

• JFF

  • Jobs for the Future

  • Making-College-Work

• ACTE Work-based Learning State Resources & Professional Organizations

• Career Ready Practices Course Guidance

  • The workforce ready portion of the North Dakota Scholarship requires 4 credits of CTE with 2 credits in the same plan of study and an ACT score higher than 24 or score of 5 on all three WorkKeys tests. In addition to that requirement students must complete 2 of 6 indicators listed. One of the indicators is to complete a Career Ready Practices Course. CTE has given guidance for the Career Ready Practices Course.

    • CRP Course Resources

  • RUReady.ND.gov

    • North Dakota CTE provides access to www.RUReadyND.gov for all North Dakota students. RUReady.ND.gov contains high school and career planning tools and the WBL Module.

    • RUReady.ND.gov - The Work-based Learning Module for Professionals
      • This guide will help RUReady.ND.gov Professional Center users learn how to manage work-based learning processes and data.

  • Additional supplemental resources may be purchased at your cost. Possible supplemental resources are listed below:

    • Bring Your A Game – The Center for Work Ethic Development

    • Rubin Education

    • Conover Workplace Readiness Credentials

• North Dakota Labor Market Information

• Golden Path Solutions/Compass Profile

  • Golden Path Solutions Additional Resources

    Compass Profile Curriculum Map

Work-based Learning is an Indicator under workforce ready for the North Dakota Scholarship.

• ND Scholarship Framework

• ND Scholarship Guidance

North Dakota provides RUReady.ND.gov to all North Dakota students. RUReady.ND.gov contains high school and career planning tools and the Work-based Learning Module.

RUReady.ND.gov Resources

• June 19 WBL Training - RUReady & WBL PowerPoint

• May 29 WBL Training - RUReady Quick Overview PowerPoint

Employer Resources - RUReady.ND.gov Work-Based Learning Module

• Work-based Learning in RUReady.ND.gov Flyer

  • Key Features, Tools and Benefits of the WBL Module in RUReady.ND.gov

• Golden Path Solutions Flyer for Employers

• Invite Local Employers to Participate - E-mail Template 

Work-based Learning Coordinator Training 

May 27, 2026 - July 23, 2026.

Click Here to Register

Registration deadline: May 22, 2026.

• There are two levels of training:
  • Level 1 WBL Coordinator Training is for educators who plan to be hired as a WBL Coordinator. This training will combine two face-to-face days of instruction/collaboration and three virtual sessions. The course instructors will supply all training resources.  
  • Level 2 WBL Coordinator Training is for teachers who will be assisting with an existing WBL Program under the supervision of a veteran WBL Coordinator. This training was developed for educators who DO NOT plan to be a WBL Coordinator. This training will prepare educators to comply with existing WBL policies and structure. Applicants will attend one in-person day in Bismarck, two virtual training sessions and one local in-person training scheduled by the area WBL Coordinator.
• Participants who complete training will be eligible for the WBL Coordinator Endorsement. This endorsement allows coordinators to manage quality work-based learning experiences for students in all CTE program areas.  A WBL Coordinator will be the point of contact for students, employers, and educators. 

• Professional Development Credit will be available.
• Learners who complete their training will be qualified to be the teacher of record for the following MIS03 codes.
  • 01999    Agricultural Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 14999    Business Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 09299    Family and Consumer Sciences Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 07999    Health Education Supervised Occupational Experience
  • 27999    Information Technology Cooperative Work Experience
  • 04999    Marketing Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 10999    Technology & Engineering Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 17999    Trade and Industrial Education Cooperative Work Experience
  • 20076    Career Seminar
  • 20060    Career Management