Work-Based Learning Opportunities

The Indiana Department of Education defines work-based learning (WBL) as ongoing interaction between students and industry professionals in real or simulated workplace settings. These experiences provide authentic, hands-on learning opportunities that help students build knowledge, skills, and career-ready competencies. Work-based learning is intentionally connected to course standards and training goals and is evaluated to ensure students meet those expectations. Each WBL experience requires a written partnership agreement and plan involving the student, parent or guardian, school, and employer partner. 

During the diploma redesign process, the state shared data with the public on graduation rates, how well K–12 education aligns with career opportunities, high school attendance, college enrollment, college persistence and success rates, and other key indicators. 

From March 2024 through December 2024, draft versions of the redesigned diploma were presented to the State Board of Education. Throughout this time, we invited stakeholder groups to provide input and feedback, and we made revisions as part of an ongoing, collaborative process. 

The redesign focused on: 

• Providing students with greater flexibility to personalize their learning while maintaining academic rigor 
• Simplifying diploma requirements for students, families, and schools 
• Expanding access to work-based learning opportunities and valuable industry credentials 

Additional details are available on the IDOE website.

Beginning with the Class of 2028, all high school students will pursue a newly redesigned diploma intended to make high school more flexible, personalized, and aligned with their postsecondary plans. 

As part of the new diploma, students may earn different readiness seals that reflect their preparation for college, careers, or military service. Some of these seals require participation in work-based learning (WBL). These include: 

• Honors Enrollment Plus Seal 
• Honors Employability Seal 
• Honors Employability Plus Seal 
• Honors Enlistment Plus Seal 

No, work-based learning is not a requirement to earn a high school diploma, but it is a requirement for some readiness seals students can add to their diplomas.  

If a student does not complete the required work-based learning, they will not earn the diploma seal they selected. However, students can still graduate and earn their high school diploma even if they do not earn a diploma seal or complete the associated work-based learning requirements. 

While there is no academic penalty for not finishing a work-based learning experience, students are expected to approach these opportunities with professionalism and commitment. Our industry partners generously invest their time and resources to support students, and it is important that students treat these experiences with respect, avoid disrupting workplace operations, and represent HSE Schools in a positive and responsible manner. 

Students should begin by thinking about their plans after graduation. Diploma readiness seals were designed to help students align their high school experience with their postsecondary goals. Some of these seals require participation in work-based learning. 

Students should carefully review each seal and its work-based learning requirements to determine how they fit with their extracurricular and co-curricular commitments. It is important to consider whether they can dedicate and manage the time needed to complete the requirements. Some work-based learning experiences take place during the school day as part of a course, while others require time outside of school hours or during school breaks. 

Questions to ask yourself: 

• Which diploma seal most aligns with your post-secondary goals after graduation?  
• Do you want to complete WBL during the school day or outside of the school day/ over school breaks? 
• Are you interested in a career technical education program that has WBL embedded?  
• Are you a member of a competitive club or career technical student organization that can be documented as WBL?  

This page highlights some of the most common work-based learning (WBL) experiences available to students. We’re always looking to expand these opportunities—if you have an idea, connect with your guidance counselor or reach out to our District Workplace Learning Manager, Ken Johnson, at kjohnson2@hse.k12.in.us.

Work-based learning (WBL) requirements vary depending on the diploma seal a student selects and the type of WBL experience they choose to complete. 

In general, students must participate in real or simulated workplace experiences that include a formal training plan developed in partnership with an industry professional or employer. With support from a WBL coordinator or teacher, students will track the number of hours they complete and provide evidence of the industry-recognized skills and competencies they develop. 

HSE Schools’ work-based learning system will be used to create, manage, and document the required training plan, ensuring that students successfully meet all WBL requirements. 

WBL will be documented using a state-required training plan. HSE Schools is currently developing a system to create and manage WBL experiences.  

A student begins creating their WBL plan with their counselor when they choose which honors seal they want to pursue.    

Students may earn high school credit through certain work-based learning (WBL) experiences. Some WBL options are offered as courses and award academic credit. Work-based learning opportunities that provide credit are listed on the course-based experiences. Click on each opportunity to learn more. 

Work-based learning will only affect a student’s grade or GPA if it is part of a course in which they are enrolled. If the work-based learning experience is embedded within a class, it may be graded as part of that course. Otherwise, it does not impact grades or GPA. 

Yes. Please see the "Employability Skills Co-Op" option above. Students may meet their work-based learning (WBL) requirements by documenting their experience in a part-time job. To do so, they must complete a formal training plan, and their employer must agree to serve as the industry partner for the experience. Please reach out to your counselor to learn more. 

Yes. Students will enroll in the course: 0543- WBL Lvl 1: Employability Skills Development. For every 75 hours a student completes, they can earn one personalized elective credit.  Additional information on this process is in development by the IDOE.  

The purpose of work-based learning is to give students meaningful career exploration experiences that help them make informed decisions about their plans after graduation. These opportunities allow students to build relationships with local industry partners and gain hands-on experience that can strengthen applications to postsecondary programs, colleges, and universities. 

As a parent, you can support your student by: 

• Discussing which readiness seal(s) best align with their postsecondary goals 
• Reviewing the different types of work-based learning opportunities available 
• Brainstorming potential career exploration experiences 
• Identifying courses that include embedded work-based learning and determining whether they support your student’s goals 
• Helping your student decide the best time to participate in work-based learning experiences 

Students can have a maximum of three experiences. Each experience must be at least 25 hours and can be accumulated across their high school career.   

When planning and documenting work-based learning (WBL) requirements, students work most closely with their school counselor to ensure all expectations are met. 

The high school network structure is also designed to provide authentic learning experiences in HSE classrooms and throughout the Fishers community. Some of these experiences may qualify as work-based learning and can be documented accordingly. 

If a student completes an internship or participates in a real workplace setting to meet WBL requirements, they may work directly with a teacher or a school-based internship coordinator. In addition, HSE Schools has a District Workplace Learning Manager who helps connect students with local industry partners and employers across a variety of work-based learning opportunities. 

Work-based learning is more than just an Indiana diploma option. At HSE Schools, we believe it is an essential experience that helps students make informed decisions about their plans after graduation, while potentially saving students and families time and money. 

An experience that helps a student discover what they do not want to pursue can be just as valuable as one that confirms a future career path. We also believe work-based learning increases student engagement, strengthens workforce development, and supports long-term talent retention within our community.