Preparing Nevada Students for College, Career, and the Workforce

Work-Based Learning (WBL) connects classroom instruction with real-world experiences that help students explore careers, build skills, and prepare for postsecondary education and employment. Nevada’s WBL framework supports students, schools, and employers through structured, high-quality learning experiences.

Per NAC 389.826, A work-based learning program may consist of:
a) For pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 9, inclusive, career exploration activities, including participation in career fairs, company tours and events with guest speakers;
b) For pupils enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, career preparation activities, including job shadowing for not more than 3 days, school-based enterprises and supervised agricultural experiences; and c) For pupils enrolled in grades 11 and 12, career training activities, including internships, apprenticeships, supervised agricultural experiences and paid work experiences.

Statutory guidance and required documents for local education agencies

Nevada school districts who offer Work-Based Learning are required to develop and maintain a Work-Based Learning (WBL) program in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Department of Education guidance. The documents below support districts in planning, approving, and administering Work-Based Learning programs and are intended for district and school administrators responsible for program compliance and oversight.

• User Guide to Work-based Learning (pdf)
  • Provides comprehensive guidance on:
    • Definitions and allowable WBL experience types
    • Roles and responsibilities of districts, schools, employers, and students
    • Required documentation and approvals
    • Implementation and oversight considerations
• Work-based Learning Application (pdf)
  • Used by districts and schools to propose and document Work-Based Learning experiences, including alignment to programs of study and student eligibility.
• Nevada Employer Host Vetting Rubric (pdf)
  • Supports districts in evaluating employer worksites to ensure safe, appropriate, and high-quality learning environments for students.

What Is Work-Based Learning?

Work-Based Learning includes structured learning experiences that occur in a workplace or simulated workplace and are intentionally connected to classroom instruction and career pathways.

Continuum of Experiences

WBL opportunities progress from career awareness to career preparation, allowing students to participate in multiple experiences over time.

• Career Awareness: career fairs, guest speakers, workplace tours
• Career Exploration: job shadowing, informational interviews
• Career Preparation: internships, CTE work experience, pre-apprenticeships, practicums, school-based enterprises

Key Expectations

• Experiences align to a CTE Program of Study or career pathway
• Students are supervised by both the school and employer
• Required agreements, permissions, and evaluations are completed
• Learning outcomes are documented and reviewed

Choosing the right experience for student readiness and instructional goals

Experience Type	Description	Typical Length	Best For
Job Shadowing	Short-term observation of a professional at work to explore careers and workplace expectations.	Hours to 1 day	Career exploration
Internship	Structured work experience with defined learning goals; may be paid or unpaid; supervised by school and employer.	Weeks to a semester	Skill development
CTE Work Experience	Extended work experience aligned to an approved CTE Program of Study with ongoing supervision and evaluation.	Semester or year	CTE Program of Study
Apprenticeship Ready Program	Skill-building experiences designed to prepare students for entry into registered apprenticeship programs.	Program-dependent	Skilled trades and technical careers
School-Based Enterprise	Student-run business or operation within a school setting that simulates real workplace conditions.	Ongoing	Entrepreneurship and employability skills
Clinical Experience	Supervised, hands-on experience in a real or simulated workplace tied to a specific occupation.	Structured hours	Health, education, public service
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)	Planned, supervised agricultural activities that apply classroom instruction in real-world or simulated agricultural settings.	Ongoing / program-based	Agriculture and natural resources program of study

How to Implement Work-Based Learning In Your District

To implement Work-Based Learning in your district, your district must have an application on file with the Nevada Department of Education. Please review the information in the guide to develop your application and utilize the application template on this page.

Student & Parent Information

For students and parents who are interested in learning about how a student may participate in Work-Based Learning, it is recommended that you contact your school counselor for information regarding what Work-Based Learning opportunities are available in your school or district.

Employer Partner Information

If you are an employer who is interested in partnering with a district to offer a Work-Based Learning opportunity, please contact your local school district to learn more about their local Work-Based Learning plan and their policies and procedures for employer vetting. Hosting a student also benefits the employer.

Employers benefit by:

• Building a future talent pipeline
• Supporting workforce development
• Engaging employees through mentorship
• Strengthening community partnerships

Federal Work-Based Learning Toolkit

Developed by the U.S. Department of Education, this toolkit provides national guidance on high-quality WBL design, employer engagement, equity, and sustainability.

• https://cte.ed.gov/wbltoolkit

Advance CTE – Employer Engagement & Program Scaling

Advance CTE provides research-based resources on Programs of Study, employer partnerships, dual credit, and statewide CTE alignment.

• https://careertech.org/resource-center/topics/work-based-learning

Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) are also referred to as recognized postsecondary credentials. Section 3(52) of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) defines “recognized postsecondary credential” as a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) utilizes the list maintained by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN) to identify eligible IRCs. For more information regarding what is considered an IRC please refer to the information provided by OWINN.

• OWINN: Nevada Industry Recognized Credentials (External Site)

Additionally, the Office Of Career Readiness, Adult Learning, and Education Options (CRALEO) issued a guidance memo to Secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) Directors on September 11, 2025 regarding the utilization of IRCs for CTE.

At the time of the memo, the CTE Certificate of Skill Attainment was not on the OWINN list of industry-recognized credentials. The CTE Certificate of Skill Attainment is now considered an IRC by OWINN as it was added to the list later in September 2025. Additions are made regularly to the IRC list provided by OWINN, so be sure to review the list on a regular basis.

• September 2025 CTE IRC Guidance Memo

Additionally, a guidance memo was provided by Interim Superintendent Canavero on October 17, 2025 regarding CCR diploma requirements for the class of 2026. This memo allowed certain items to be utilized for diploma purposes only that are no longer on the OWINN list. These items may not be utilized for CTE. For information regarding CCR diploma requirements for the graduating class of 2026 only as they relate to IRCs, please refer to the memo below from Interim Superintendent Canavero.

• October 2025 CCR Diploma IRC Guidance Memo