In order to improve academic performance and postsecondary outcomes, as well as ensure students are both college and career ready, all students that are participating in STEM Education and Career Pathways should have access to high-quality work-based learning experiences. These experiences build upon their academic and career interests and provide meaningful and relevant opportunities to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

1. 1
Illinois Pathways
Work-Based Learning
March 2015
www.ilpathways.com

2. 2
In order to improve academic performance
and post-secondary outcomes, as well as
ensure that students are both college and
career ready, all students that are
participating in STEM Education and Career
Pathways should have access to high-quality
work-based learning experiences.
These experiences build upon their
academic and career interests and provide
meaningful and relevant opportunities to
demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

3. 3
Students should have access to a broad range of experiences and
opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom (including through
technology), that connect their academic programs to the world of work
ranging from career awareness to more applied on-the-job training.
Work-based learning is
understood to be an
integral part of both
college and career
readiness in that it helps
students to develop
and apply their skills in
practical and
informative real-world
activities.
Meaningful
engagement in work-
based learning
opportunities provides
students with the ability
to demonstrate their
academic proficiency,
workforce readiness,
and pathway level skills
in applied settings.
Work-based learning is
also an important
experience that informs
career guidance and
transitions between
education and training
institutions and into
employment.

4. Elementary – High
School Levels
• Career Exploration
Activities
• Classroom
Support and
Guest Speakers
• College and
Career Fairs
• Competitions
• Problem-Based
Learning
• Service Learning
• Site Visit
High School
• Career Preparation*
Activities
• Career Coaching
• Co-Op/
Independent
Study
• Internships
• Job Shadows
• School-Based
Enterprise
• On-the-Job
Training* Activities
• Apprenticeships
• Work Experiences
Bridge Programs
• Career Exploration
Activities
• Problem-Based
Learning
• Career Preparation*
Activities
• Career Coaching
• Internships
• On-the-Job
Training* Activities
• Work Experience
Certificate, Associates,
Bachelors, and Post-
Bachelors
• Career Exploration Activities
• Career Coaching
• Competitions
• Problem-Based Learning
• Service Learning
• Career Preparation* Activities
• Internships
• School-Based Enterprise
• On-the-Job Training*
Activities
• Apprenticeships
• Work Experiences
4
For Illinois Pathways, the progression of work-based learning activities is categorized along a
continuum that includes career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and on-the-
job training.
*Refers to categories that provide work-based learning opportunities for not only students, but also for educators seeking professional development opportunities.

5. This example shows
Information Technology:
• Select a career
pathway.
• Review by Level:
• Programs and
Courses
• Work-Based Learning
• Credentials
• Related Resources
include STEM Learning
Exchange information.
Click on any pathway.
Related Resources are provided by
Illinois Open Educational Resources.
http://ioer.ilsharedlearning.org
5

6. Education and Career Pathways
Programs/Courses
Orientation
(Level1)
Secondary
(Level2)
Post-Secondary
(Level3)
Work-Based
Learning
(WBL)
Definitions&
Level-Appropriate
TypesWBL
Credentials
Descriptions
andLinksto
Credential
Information
Careers
UpdatedLabor
Market
Information
LinkstoCareer
Information
Each Pathway
shows:
• Programs and
Courses based
on three levels.
• Work-based
learning
examples
appropriate to
each level.
• Credentials.
• Career and
labor market
information.
6

7. 7
Select Work-Based Learning with any Level.

8. 8
Work-Based
Learning
definitions.
Work-Based Learning - A broad range of
experiences and opportunities, both inside and
outside the classroom, that connect students to
the world of work, ranging from career awareness
to more applied on-the-job training.

9. 9
WBL Examples by Level - Not only for students, but also for educators seeking professional development opportunities.

10. 10
State of Illinois Agency Partners:
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Illinois Department of Employment Security
www.ilpathways.com