December 2025

Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinator Newsletter

Contents

• As temperatures drop, WBL & IRC resources continue to heat up!
• REGISTER TO ATTEND - WBL/IRC Coding and Reporting Webinar Scheduled for January 15 at 2 pm
• NEW & Updated Career-Connected Learning Resources
• 2025-2026 WBL Webinar Series
• REMINDER - What Counts as Work-Based Learning
• The Coordinator's Corner
• COMING SOON - 2024-2025 Data on Iowa Student Outcomes Site

As temperatures drop, WBL & IRC resources continue to heat up!

We have really seen a drop in temperatures as winter is quickly approaching. However, that does not mean the excellent work educators, employers, and other partners across the state are doing in the Work-Based Learning and IRC spaces have slowed down! This month's newsletter covers some new WBL resources, upcoming events and a reminder to submit your proposal for the Iowa WBL Conference. Please take a moment to review things carefully and make note of any questions you may have. We continue to receive questions surrounding WBL and IRCs and coding/reporting changes and our team is happy to answer them on a case-by-case basis or set up a time for a more in-depth session to focus on how to best assist your efforts as you look to expand your WBL and IRC programming. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have! Stay safe, warm, and thank you for all that you do! Jodie

REGISTER TO ATTEND - WBL/IRC Coding and Reporting Webinar Scheduled for January 15 at 2 pm

Mark you calendars for January 15th at 2 pm! During this time, Department staff will be presenting a webinar to cover the basics of work-based learning (WBL) and industry-recognized credential (IRC) coding and reporting requirements, as well as providing additional resources. 

NEW & Updated Career-Connected Learning Resources

Each technical assistance document under the Resources section of  the Career-Connected Learning webpage have been updated to reflect the new definition of WBL with the passage of Senate File 2411. There are TWO NEW toolkits for Work-Based Learning: Simulated Work Experience Aligned with and IRC Toolkit Sustained Project Based Learning in Partnership with an Employer Toolkit Is there a resource you would like created to help with WBL or IRCs?  Contact Jodie Smith at jodie.smith@iowa.gov to make your suggestion.

2025-2026 WBL Webinar Series

After a successful webinar series last year, Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Education are continuing the WBL webinar series for the 2025-2026 school year. This year's webinar series will focus on new topics and highlight what's possible in Iowa's workforce.

January 27, 2026: Using Work-Based Learning to Launch a High School IT Community Help Desk

• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m Register Here
  • Learn how to create a High School IT Community Help Desk to assist residents of senior living facilities, with tasks like attaching a photo to an email and installing a solitaire app without ads while helping students develop technical and customer service skills. The webinar will feature the partnership between NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls and the Waterloo Career Center to give a firsthand look at how how employers and schools can collaborate to offer this opportunity locally. Check out more information HERE.

February 10, 2026: Preparing Student-Learners for Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Careers

• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register Here
  • A student-learner program is a type of work-based learning experience with potential to train 16- and 17-year-olds for careers in industries like construction and advanced manufacturing. Learn about the components that comprise a student-learner program

March 10, 2026: Incorporating Industry-Recognized Credentials into Work-Based Learning

• 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register Here
  • Work-based learning provides opportunities for high schools and community colleges to integrate industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) into courses and programs. Learn about which types of work-based learning are best suited for alignment with IRCs and how to integrate these credentials into existing and new work-based learning programs. 
    
    

Not able to attend a webinar? Webinars are recorded and posted to the Iowa Workforce and Iowa Department of Education websites for later viewing. Click the button below for a list of recordings!

REMINDER - What Counts as Work-Based Learning

When determining if students are getting a work-based learning experience as part of a course, ask the following questions:

1. Are students actively working and learning, not passively observing, during the experience?
   • Project Based Learning = Consultants
   • Simulated Work Experience = Working for a School Based Enterprise,  completing clinicals or practicum requirements, etc.
   • Internships, Student Learner Programs, Quality Pre-Apprenticeships, Registered and Non-Registered Apprenticeships = Worker
2. Are employer partners directly involved and engaging with students?
   • Employers need to be providing more than consultation
   • Projects, lab work, etc. don't necessarily automatically qualify
   • Schools/districts, family businesses, entrepreneurs, and others may qualify as "employers"

Please reach out to Jodie Smith at jodie.smith@iowa.gov if you have any questions.

The Coordinator's Corner

Get ready, Iowa Work-Based Learning superstars! The Iowa WBL Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, on April 6th, 2026. We seriously cannot wait to see the awesome you're bringing! Let's make this year's conference the best one yet! Sign up for the conference, along with conference information will be coming January 1st! The next Connections Group will meet on January on the 12th from 3:30PM-4:00PM.  We will be discussing finals and other forms of assessments!  Here is the LINK to join! (Meeting ID: 811 0046 9786 Passcode: mCXM3d)

COMING SOON - 2024-2025 Data on Iowa Student Outcomes Site

The interactive work-based learning dashboard available on the Iowa Student Outcomes website provides an opportunity to review what is being offered across the state for WBL.   District or school staff should check the updated information and conduct a thorough review of all identified courses, as well as any that may be missing or seemingly incorrect due to coding or reporting issues. A feedback form has been added to the site to request corrections, clarifications or other information.

Jodie Smith
Education Program Consultant - WBL and IRCs
Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
515-419-5190
jodie.smith@iowa.gov

Heather Meissen
Administrative Consultant - CTE and Health Sciences
Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
515-326-5378
heather.meissen@iowa.gov