ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

This session highlights a cross-county initiative in rural Illinois to build a comprehensive, fairness-focused Work-Based Learning (WBL) continuum spanning Career Awareness through Career Development. Presenters David Rademacher (EFE Director) and Sarah Rudofsky (CTE Consultant) will share a replicable model grounded in landscape analysis, local asset mapping, and regional coordination across Marion, Clinton, and Washington Counties.
Ideal for CTE leaders, WBL coordinators, and rural education stakeholders, this session offers tools to operationalize WBL in under-resourced settings. Attendees will explore key deliverables, including a regional WBL calendar, employer engagement strategies, and a student tracking system aligned with Perkins V.
Through small-group activities, resource sharing, and implementation planning, participants will leave with actionable strategies to build or strengthen their own WBL ecosystems—even with limited staff or budgets.
Resources provided: slide deck, WBL planning template, landscape analysis tools, and sample outreach materials.