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We are excited to announce that Cale Hutchings has accepted the position of Bureau Chief for Career and Technical Education at the Iowa Department of Education.
With more than 15 years of experience in Career and Technical Education, Hutchings brings a strong understanding of how effective systems connect classroom learning to work-based learning opportunities for students. His background includes six years as the Applied Sciences Program Consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, along with prior classroom experience as an automotive and industrial technology instructor.
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CTE Day at the Capitol: Thursday, February 19th from 7AM-12PM. More information HERE
Iowa WBL Conference: Monday, April 6th at Prairie Meadows, Altoona, Iowa. Register HERE
Iowa ACTE Conference: Friday, June 19th at Prairie Meadows, Altoona, IA
The Iowa Department of Education Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness is pleased to announce that the submission form to add Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) to the secondary state approved list for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open. The deadline to fill out this request form is Friday, February 27, 2026.
This continuously updated list features high-quality credentials that certify the specific skills and knowledge required by Iowa’s employers. Districts, organizations, or individuals seeking to include a new credential on this list must ensure the request meets specific high-quality and quality-assurance standards as outlined in the state's evergreen evaluation process.
The Career Connected Learning Webpage has been updated! Please check out all of the updated resources and technical assistance available!
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.
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We are pleased to announce the the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning website is now active. Please continue to check back to this site as we work to update it and make it a valuable resource to educators and businesses as a way to connect on Career Connected Learning opportunities across the state of Iowa!
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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.
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Registration is for the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Conference, scheduled for April 6, 2026 at The Meadows Event Center - Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA is OPEN! This one-day conference brings together leaders in work-based learning to build knowledge, capacity and skills to strengthen work-based learning and access for every student.
There are some amazing sessions and speakers lined up for this year! Learn more and register at the link below.
Early Bird: $260 if registered by January 23, 2026
Regular: $310 if registered by March 6, 2026
Late: $360 after March 7, 2026
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The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department of Education is currently accepting teacher applications for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program for the summer of 2026. Placements for summer will begin on March 2, 2026.
Now entering its seventeenth year, the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program pairs Iowa teachers with a local business and industry workplace host for a six week summer experience.
Teachers who participate in externships benefit from exposure to real-world STEM applications and building school-business partnerships. In turn, teachers are able to improve student experiences and career knowledge.
STEM Teachers participating in the program earn a stipend of up to $5,500, as well as three graduate credits through the University of Northern Iowa’s Continuing Education program.
One of the great things about the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program is the amount of flexibility it can have for teachers. If you have read anything here that sparks an interest and you have more questions about the program, we invite you to the conversion. You can find more information on the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships webpage or by contacting Program Coordinator Ann Gritzner at Gritzner@IowaSTEM.org.
High school students interested in exploring careers in health care are encouraged to register for Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences' Mini Medical School before the Jan. 31 deadline.
This free program, held every Tuesday evening in February, offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn from DMU's faculty and students. Participants explore real-world medical scenarios, learn about diagnostic processes and gain insights into the science behind disease and treatment. The four-session program is designed to help students discover the diverse career paths available in the health sciences while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mini Medical School is hosted on DMU's state-of-the-art campus at 8025 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines. Students will work closely with DMU mentors and participate in interactive group activities, including tours and case presentations.
Spots for this highly sought-after program are limited, and registration closes Jan. 31, 2026.
Don't miss this opportunity to take the first step toward an exciting career in medicine and health sciences. For more information or to register, visit https://www.dmu.edu/admission/student-pathways/mini-medical-school/ or contact studentlife@dmu.edu.
Health Sciences Career Day will be held on Thursday, May14th from 9AM-12PM. This event introduces Iowa students to the most in-demand health care careers statewide. Through engaging videos and live panel discussions, students will learn what it's like to care for patients in a hospital and how to prepare for these careers.
When determining if students are getting a work-based learning experience as part of a course, ask the following questions:
- 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
- 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.
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
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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!
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
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