Work-Based Learning

Learn how work-based learning can support your hiring needs while building career
awareness for students.

Build Your Future Workforce While Strengthening Our Region

Work-based learning (WBL) is one of the most practical and effective ways to address workforce needs today while preparing talent for tomorrow. By connecting students to real-world experiences, employers gain earlier access to emerging talent, help shape future skills and strengthen their industry’s long-term talent base.

What is work-based learning?

Work-based learning (WBL) connects school learning with real workplace experiences, allowing students to explore careers, build skills and contribute meaningfully to the workforce before and after graduation.

It is an all-encompassing approach that includes:

Career awareness
Career exploration
Career preparation

WBL can happen within schools, in other educational or community settings, or directly in the workplace.

Why is work-based learning important?

Work-based learning is a workforce strategy.

Employers that engage in work-based learning can:

Build early connections with future talent
Increase awareness of careers within their organization and industry
Support career exploration and workforce readiness
Help shape the skills students bring into the workforce
Strengthen recruitment, retention and long-term talent development

Whether you are ready to host a job shadow, offer an internship or simply start by sharing career insight, there is a way to engage that aligns with your workforce needs and capacity.

Work-based learning in the region

The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo region has established shared goals to expand and strengthen work-based learning across employers and schools.

Regional Work-Based Learning Goals

25% of high school seniors engaged annually in work-based learning
Approximately 600 students per year
650 regional businesses actively engaged in work-based learning by July 1, 2027
100% of students engaged in intentional career exploration experiences by graduation

These goals represent a coordinated regional effort and shared commitment to preparing students, supporting employers and strengthening workforce readiness. This work is led in partnership with Fargo Public Schools, West Fargo Public Schools and Moorhead Area Public Schools.

Work-Based Learning Continuum

Work-based learning is a continuum of opportunities that allows employers to start where they are and grow over time.

This continuum makes it possible for businesses to choose an entry point that fits their capacity while still making a meaningful impact.

Work-based learning (WBL) Continuum Table

Career Awareness

Low-commitment opportunities that help students learn about industries, career pathways and workplace environments.

Examples may include:

Career expos
Workplace tours
Guest speakers or in-class experiences
Career videos or virtual reality experiences
Career-focused research projects
Career inventories

Career Exploration

Interactive experiences that help students connect interests and skills to real careers.

Examples may include:

Job shadowing
Informational interviews
Simulations
Summer camps or career-related experiences

Career Preparation

Hands-on experiences that help students build skills, gain confidence and prepare for employment.

Examples may include:

Cooperative work experiences
Work experience classes
Internships
Pre-apprenticeships
Supervised agricultural experiences

Frequently asked questions

Where do I start?

You do not have to figure this out on your own.

The Chamber’s Workforce Team is here to help you:

Identify the right starting point
Understand the work-based learning continuum
Connect with schools and students
Explore opportunities that align with your business needs
Build or expand meaningful experiences over time

Whether you are just getting started or ready to formalize your approach, we can help you take the next step.

Contact The Chamber's Workforce team

How does work-based learning work for employers?

Work-based learning starts with employer engagement, and participation can evolve over time.

An employer might begin by:

Speaking in a classroom
Participating in a career fair
Hosting a workplace tour
From there, engagement can grow into:
Job shadows
Informational interviews
Mentorship
Internships
Apprenticeships
Other structured work-based learning experiences

By taking the next step, your organization helps strengthen the regional workforce while gaining earlier visibility into emerging talent.

How do I get connected with students or schools?

The Chamber proudly partners with Golden Path Solutions, the developer of Compass, an innovative platform that connects local businesses with students based on interests, strengths and career pathways.

All North Dakota students have access to Compass through the state-supported RUReady platform. Many Minnesota schools have also adopted Compass, including Moorhead Area Public Schools and Detroit Lakes Public Schools.

Because Compass is the platform used by regional schools, employers are encouraged to create a profile as an easy, one-stop way to get involved.

Through Compass, employers can:

Create a profile describing what your company does and what makes it unique
Share contact information and indicate how you are willing to engage
Choose the types of opportunities that work best for your organization
Support career exploration through real-world learning
Connect with students based on interests and strengths
Keep opportunities organized and accessible in one place

What is Compass?

Ready to explore work-based learning?

There is a place to start, no matter your organization’s size, industry or current capacity.

Connect with The Chamber’s Workforce Team to learn more, or get connected with Compass and create your profile today.

Contact the workforce team

Create a compass profile

RESOURCES

Work-based learning webinar series

Short, action-oriented sessions designed to help employers better understand work-based learning and take the next step.

Session 1: What is work-based learning (WBL)?

High-level overview of WBL
How WBL functions
Different types of WBL
Range of opportunities

Session 1 Resources

Session 2: Work-based learning as a talent development strategy

How WBL can lead into your broader workforce development efforts
How WBL connects students with career opportunities at your company
- Direct employment
- Tuition reimbursement
- Sponsorship programs
- Apprenticeships
- Other structured employment pathways

Session 2 Resources