Workplace-Based Learning Partnership Model
Definition:     Industry partner provides on-site opportunity for student applied learning, paid or unpaid, frequently with employment potential, often integrated with coursework.
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Examples:    Internships, apprenticeships, co-op learning, job shadows.

Implementation Strategies
  • Collaborate with industry to develop WBL programs that meet industry needs
  • Work with stakeholders to identify WBL opportunities (faculty, industry associations, advisory board, alumni)
  • Define and communicate explicit learning goals and expectations to WBL hosts
  • Utilize a coordinator to manage program, seek out and maintain workplace-based learning (WBL) opportunities
  • Screen and revisit industry sites periodically to ensure appropriateness and safety
  • Maintain student WBL opportunity job board, list, or database

Reported Impacts
  • Provided applied, real world learning for students
  • Graduates are better prepared to transition into workplace
  • Increased employment opportunities for students
  • Both student and industry get to see if work environment is a good fit
  • Developed closer and more meaningful ties with industry
  • Participant feedback can inform gaps in curriculum
  • Provided tuition reduction for students, in part or full

Reported Challenges
  • Finding/allocating resources to support industry involvement in WBL (student matching, providing access to forms and reports, visiting sites, etc.)
  • Recruiting appropriately skilled students that fulfill industry needs 
  • Lack of WBL coordinator/ administrator at educational institution
  • Lack of local industry partners
  • Maintaining student opportunities database or list
  • Arranging for academic credit within educational institution
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Workplace-Based Learning Case Study


The Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) is a national grape and wine education program that pairs online instruction with continuous workplace-based learning experiences that build from simple job shadowing to a capstone 194-hour internship.  VESTA has partnered with industry to provide some of these experiential learning opportunities but also has developed procedures and guidelines for partners to self-select and for students to find sites on their own.