ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

Experience The Met, an innovative career and technical education school where students design their own learning paths through real-world internships, hands-on projects, and close mentorship. This short visit will include a guided tour of key learning spaces, followed by a panel featuring Met students, advisors, and mentors who will share how internships and community-based projects connect classroom learning to personal passions and future goals.
 
Itinerary
8:30am: Attendees board bus at RI Convention Center
8:45am: Bus departs for MET School
9:00am - 9:20am: Introductions, Welcome & Overview
9:20am - 9:50am: Student Panel and Presentation
9:50am - 10:10am: Table conversation with Students
10:10am - 10:40am: Tour of the Building
10:40am - 11:00am: Closing remarks
11:10am: Attendees board bus and depart for Convention Center
11:25am: Bus drops off attendees at RI Convention Center

Attendees will enjoy a guided tour of William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School, exploring how industry partnerships enhance student learning and career readiness. The visit includes four 15-minute stops in key Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas:

• Advanced Manufacturing – Discover how students gain hands-on experience with precision equipment and benefit from collaborations with the defense / shipbuilding sector.
• Auto Careers – Learn how partnerships with regional dealerships provide real-world training.
• Biomanufacturing – See how students participate in a real-world research effort with a postsecondary partner to hone the technical and analytical skills needed for scientific research.
• Hospitality – Experience how students apply customer service, culinary, and event management skills all while operating a food truck.

Throughout the tour, guests will see firsthand how work-based learning connects classroom instruction with meaningful industry experience, preparing Davies students for success in high-demand careers.

Itinerary
9:00am: Attendees board bus
9:15am: Bus departs for Davies HS
9:30am: Arrive at Davies
- Welcome and separate into groups of 4 to begin tours
- Each group will rotate through 4 CTE program areas for 15 minutes/each
9:40am-9:55am: CTE Program Area #1
10:00am -10:15am: CTE Program Area #2
10:20am-10:35am: CTE Program Area #3
10:40am-10:55am: CTE Program Area #4
10:55am: Attendees regroup and board bus
11:10am: Bus departs for Convention Center
11:25am: Bus arrives at Convention Center 

Experience the energy and innovation of PCTA, where students turn passion into purpose through hands-on Career and Technical Education! From building and designing in Carpentry and Automotive Technology labs to creating stunning digital media in Graphics and engineering real-world solutions in Pre-Engineering, every program immerses students in authentic, career-focused learning. With cutting-edge equipment, industry-recognized certifications, and Work-Based Learning partnerships that connect students to local businesses and real employers, PCTA empowers learners to graduate career-ready, confident, and equipped to lead in the workforce of tomorrow.
 
Itinerary
9:30am: Attendees board bus at RI Convention Center
9:45am: Bus departs to PCTA
9:55am: Bus arrives at PCTA
10:00am - 10:20am:  Carpentry & General Contractors
10:25am - 10:50am:  Automotive
11:00am - 11:20am:  Graphic Design
11:25am - 12:00pm:  Pre-Engineering
12:00pm: Attendees board bus
12:10pm: Bus departs PCTA
12:20pm: Bus returns to RI Convention Center

Whether you are starting a new internship program or revitalizing an existing one, this comprehensive workshop is designed to ensure your success. We will explore the essential components of an effective internship program, emphasizing key coordinator responsibilities and strategies for building strong business partnerships. 
Collaborative support will be provided for crafting training plans, minimizing liability risks, and confidently navigating challenging situations. The workshop balances strategic guidance with hands-on application, including time to network. Gain the clarity and confidence you need to transform your local internship program. 
Attendees will: 

• Sail through foundational program decisions, with dedicated time to apply what you learn. 
• Dive into scenario-based coordinator training and leave ready to manage real internship challenges. 
• Score an internship coordinator guidebook and the confidence to put your learning into action. 

Join this essential workshop to gain knowledge, skills, and a supportive network that will make your internship program a success. 

This interactive workshop equips CTE professionals with practical tools and proven strategies to design, launch, and sustain high-quality work-based learning (WBL) systems. Participants will explore effective models for aligning classroom instruction with real-world experience, developing strong employer partnerships, and integrating WBL into existing CTE and pathway programs. Led by national workforce and CTE leader Dr. Jeff Arnott, the workshop combines research-based insights with hands-on activities to help communities strengthen apprenticeship pipelines, expand access to meaningful work experiences, and leverage funding and policy to support long-term workforce development. Attendees will leave with a customized implementation roadmap and a digital toolkit ready to use immediately—empowering them to build scalable community workforce pipelines that deliver measurable success for learners and employers. 

Generously sponsored by: