ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

Work-Based Learning Coordinators face increasing pressure to expand meaningful career experiences while navigating limited internship placements, counselor overload, and growing graduation requirements. At the same time, many students commit to pathways without truly understanding the work involved.
This session explores a lifestyle-first approach to career readiness that blends career exploration, project-based learning, and micro-credentials to help students test careers before committing to them. Through short, industry-developed experiences that involve real-world tasks, learners can explore industries, practice in-demand skills, and build portfolio evidence to support work-based learning placements.
This model also expands equitable access to career exposure, especially for students who may not have access to in-person internships or employer networks. Students can explore emerging and non-traditional fields—from AI and machine learning to professional sports and esports—through authentic tasks connected to real careers.
Future Pro micro-credentials provide short (4–8 hour), industry-backed experiences where students practice skills and demonstrate mastery through performance-based projects.
Participants will leave with strategies to help students explore careers earlier, build skill evidence, and enter work-based learning experiences with greater clarity and confidence.