ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

This session shares results from a mixed-methods project that examined how an intermediary-network approach can align CTE programs with employer expectations and expand meaningful WBL. We’ll summarize what employers and educators said, what barriers surfaced, and—critically—what we decided to implement: an intermediary model with clear roles, chamber/EDO-supported employer outreach, and a practical toolkit to standardize MOUs, placement processes, and feedback loops. Attendees will see the specific engagement moves, scheduling and incentive tactics that increased participation, and the evaluation elements we’re using to monitor quality and equity. You will leave with streamlined templates and a short action checklist you can adapt immediately.

In this session I will share a framework for designing an Experiential Learning Continuum that fits the unique context of your school. Every community has its own strengths and challenges, and experiential learning works best when those are built in from the start. We’ll begin by exploring the key factors and strategies that shape successful programs. Then, you’ll turn to your own school and begin sketching a developmentally appropriate, locally responsive sequence of student experiences. Resources will include a concise slide deck, a customizable planning template, and curated digital tools. You’ll leave with practical strategies and a clear plan to expand experiential learning in your school.

The future of CTE isn’t just about partnerships - it’s about shared ownership of learning. As industries evolve, education must shift from collaboration to co-creation. This session shows how employer-led training in education and healthcare can be mapped to skills frameworks and transformed into credit-bearing, stackable credentials that serve learner advancement and meet workforce needs. We’ll reimagine employers as co-educators and institutions as credentialing and quality-assurance leaders. We’ll also highlight how programs for these pathways can tap into sustainable funding sources for expansion and equity.


Attendees will leave with strategies to design co-owned learning pathways that improve job placement, retention, and equity. Tailored for CTE educators, administrators, and workforce personnel, this workshop includes a lecture on key concepts and case studies, a breakout for small-group discussion, and a Q&A to address challenges and share experiences. Participants will receive a handout with tools and resources to support future-ready CTE programming.

This session will explore effective strategies for maximizing work-based learning opportunities in rural Tennessee communities by leveraging local resources, partnerships, and assets. Rural areas often face unique challenges when it comes to providing students with WBL experiences, from limited access to employers and industries to geographic isolation. However, with the right approach, these challenges can also present untapped potential for creating meaningful and impactful learning opportunities.


We will delve into a range of creative solutions that can be implemented at the local level, from developing industry partnerships and utilizing community organizations to innovative use of virtual platforms and regional collaboration. Participants will walk away with practical tools and actionable strategies to enhance their own WBL programs and expand access to high-quality, real-world learning experiences for students in rural communities.
This session would benefit the following: Directors of Schools, CTE Directors, WBL Cooridnators


This session will provide collaborative discussion opportunities, Q&A, and brainstorming to engage participants.


The slide deck will be made available to all participants, along with presenters' contact information.

This session will explore how strategic industry partnerships can be leveraged to build high-quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities from the very start of program development. Participants will learn how West-MEC integrates research, employer input, and student needs to design programs that embed WBL as a core component rather than an afterthought. Attendees—whether CTE teachers, WBL coordinators, or administrators—will gain practical insights into creating and sustaining strong partnerships that ensure curriculum relevance, provide authentic workplace experiences, and enhance student career readiness.
The session will be interactive, featuring discussion, examples of effective partnerships, and a “Partner Playbook” resource that outlines how to launch and maintain mutually beneficial WBL collaborations. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies, planning tools, and templates they can immediately adapt to strengthen WBL opportunities in their own classrooms, programs, and institutions.