Work-Based Learning · Indiana

Today’s Students. Tomorrow’s Workforce.

Ascend partners with schools and employers to structure high-quality experiences — preparing Indiana’s next generation for career success.

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Overview

What is Work-Based Learning?

Work-based learning gives students the chance to apply classroom learning to real work environments — bridging what they study with the industries they may one day serve.

Through these experiences, students can explore careers, develop core skills, and build workforce readiness before graduation.

For employers, it’s a practical way to bring students into your workplace and introduce them to your industry.

Structured, scalable, and a key part of Indiana’s new high school graduation requirements — recognizing hands-on training as a vital path to readiness.

Programs

Types of Work-Based Learning

The State of Indiana has identified eligible work-based learning experiences that fall into two categories.

Explore Program Types
Explore Program Types
Micro-Internship

A short, focused work experience where students complete real workplace tasks under the guidance of an employer. Ideal for exploring careers, building professional skills, and giving students meaningful exposure to industries without the commitment of a long-term placement.

A paid, mentored work experience offered through the Cooperative Education course (6162). Students gain professional skills and workplace exposure while earning course credit.

A hands-on work experience for students who are not in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Students apply academic knowledge in a professional environment aligned with their broader interests.

A hands-on work experience for CTE students, where they apply the technical skills from their coursework in a related professional setting.

A state-approved, multi-year program combining paid work and classroom learning. Students earn wages while building career-specific skills through a structured, industry-aligned pathway.

A short-term, structured experience that prepares students to enter a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship program.

A structured, Department of Labor-approved program where students learn a skilled trade or profession through a combination of paid on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.

Resources

Work-Based Learning Resources.

Developed by Ascend and the Indiana Department of Education, the hub provides step-by-step guidance, examples, and design considerations aligned with Indiana’s graduation requirements.

Resource Hub
Start Required WBL Training Plan
Get Involved

Connect with statewide partners leading this work.

Chambers of commerce, workforce boards, and education service centers act as key intermediaries supporting employer-school partnerships across Indiana.

Browse Intermediary Directory

A statewide network. 92 counties.

Browse Intermediary Directory

A statewide network. 92 counties.

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Central Intermediaries

Aspire Johnson County

Supports work-based learning by linking schools and more than 165 local employers to create hands-on opportunities that help students explore and pursue regional career pathways.
Counties Served: Johnson, Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC)

Partners with districts, educators, and students to provide high quality, sustainable services that enhance academic achievement and operational efficiencies.
Counties Served: Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion
Supporting: Schools
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East Central Educational Service Center (ECESC)

Provides regional coordination, tools, and training to help schools implement consistent and high-quality work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Bartholomew, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Henry, Johnson, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Eastern Indiana Works (EIW)

Engages employers, offers workforce insights, and partners with schools to expand student access to work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, Wayne
Supporting: Employers
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EmployIndy

Located in Indianapolis, EmployIndy develops career-connected learning systems in Marion County by coordinating employer engagement, work-based learning programming, and youth career pathways.
Counties Served: Marion
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Lafayette Commerce and Economic Development Foundation

Builds connections between schools and employers to expand high-quality work-based learning, coordinate meaningful career experiences, and strengthen pathways from education to employment.
Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren, White
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce

Serves as a bridge between businesses and schools to promote internships, employer partnerships, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Delaware
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Hendricks College Network (HCN)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners—facilitating ongoing collaborations, coordinating a range of employer involvement opportunities, and providing support to help schools track and manage work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hendricks
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Invest Hamilton County

Works with employers and schools to connect schools and students to employers offering high-quality work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Hamilton
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce

Leads countywide coordination of work-based learning by unifying schools, employers, and partners to streamline student placements and employer onboarding.
Counties Served: Wayne
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Southern Intermediaries

E-REP (Evansville Regional Economic Partnership)

Connects schools, employers, and community partners to expand high-quality work-based learning opportunities, strengthen employer engagement, and support students in exploring and preparing for careers.
Counties Served: Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

Connects local employers with schools to encourage internships, career exploration, and collaborative work-based learning initiatives.
Counties Served: Monroe
Supporting: Employers
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Hub19

Connects high school students and schools with local employers through career exploration, internships, and hands-on work-based learning experiences.
Counties Served: Dubois
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI)

Located in Bloomington, ROI helps schools and employers throughout their region understand evolving requirements, building partner capacity, fostering regional connections, and coordinating programs that offer students meaningful career-aligned experiences.
Counties Served: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC)

Supports educators through training, resources, and collaboration structures that help schools and employers organize work-based learning.
Counties Served: Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Southern Indiana Works (SIW, Workforce Region 10)

Engages employers and develops talent initiatives that connect students to meaningful work experiences aligned with regional workforce needs.
Counties Served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington
Supporting: Employers
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Southwest Indiana Workforce Board (SWIN)

Partners with businesses and schools to expand student access to industry-aligned work-based learning programs.
Counties Served: Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Supporting: Employers
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Wilson Education Service Center (Educator & Employer Support)

Connects and supports educators and industry partners in expanding work-based learning opportunities through professional learning, collaborative groups, and networking events.
Counties Served: Dearborn, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Wilson Education Service Center (Educator Support)

Connects and supports educators and industry partners in expanding work-based learning opportunities through professional learning, collaborative groups, and networking events.
Counties Served: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington
Supporting: Schools
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Northern Intermediaries

Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI)

Coordinates employer relationships, talent programs, and school partnerships to strengthen work-based learning throughout Northwest Indiana.
Counties Served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Grow Allen

Supports work-based learning by coordinating student internships and work-based tours, connecting schools with local businesses, and partnering with community organizations to expand training pathways while collaboratively helping partners strengthen their work-based learning efforts.
Counties Served: Allen
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Horizon Education Alliance (HEA)

Partners with schools and employers to provide high school students with career exploration and hands-on work-based learning opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Northeast Indiana Workforce Board (NEINW)

Supports regional talent pipelines by linking businesses with schools and promoting work-based learning as part of workforce development.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Grant, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers
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Northern Indiana Workforce Board

Serves as a regional backbone for work-based learning, bringing schools, employers, and workforce partners together to build shared WBL infrastructure and expand student opportunities.
Counties Served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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Region 8 Education Service Center of Northeast Indiana (R8ESC)

Provides training, coordination, data support, and shared tools to help schools implement and scale consistent work-based learning practices across the region.
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Madison, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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South Bend Regional Chamber

Coordinates employer partnerships, student programming, and large-scale work-based learning initiatives to connect youth with regional career pathways.
Counties Served: St. Joseph
Supporting: Employers, Schools
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