Work-based learning (WBL) is a strategy proven for mitigating gaps between education and workforce readiness. However, state policies and practices to sustainably support the implementation of work-based learning strategies at scale remain in great need. States and their higher education systems play key roles in expanding the work-based learning opportunities institutions offer, and in providing education-to-career guidance that enhances their effectiveness in promoting students’ engagement and success. However, challenges in scaling access, participation, and successful outcomes remain, especially for students facing barriers to quality apprenticeships, internships, and additional work-based learning experiences.
Generously funded by the Strada Education Foundation, JPMorganChase & Co., and Ascendium Education Group, SHEEO’s project, Advancing Work-Based Learning Through Quality Coaching, is a national, multi-state initiative designed to promote sustainable and scalable models of quality work-based learning experiences for all students through quality coaching (education-to-career guidance). SHEEO will support states in assessing their experiential learning and advising ecosystems, developing coherent and durable policy agendas, and advancing sustainable models that improve student persistence, completion, and postsecondary attainment success. Through structured assessment, technical assistance, coaching, and peer learning, participating states will receive research-backed guidance and tools needed to advance lasting reforms that center on students, their programs of study, institution missions, and career aspirations in education-to-career guidance that leads to quality experiential learning.
How This Project Model Works
The work-based learning and quality coaching learning community follows a focused, research-informed model that helps states design sustainable reforms to support all students. Participating states begin with a baseline assessment and policy scan, examining their current work-based learning models and quality coaching landscapes, funding structures, data capacity, and policy levers. This assessment establishes a clear starting point and identifies opportunities for statewide alignment. Throughout the project, states take part in monthly technical assistance sessions and peer-learning discussions that bring national experts, researchers, practitioners, and other state teams together to explore evidence-based strategies and share emerging insights.
To translate learning into action, the SHEEO learning community project team provides individualized coaching tailored to each state’s context, helping teams refine their goals, engage stakeholders, and strengthen policy proposals. Project team state visits will deepen this work, grounding policy development in on-the-ground experiences, and enabling state teams to meet with institutional partners, speak with advisors, additional student support staff, and students, to better understand current practices and challenges. All state teams will also convene in person to focus on collaborative problem-solving, policy design, and cross-state learning. Together, these components create a sequenced and supportive environment that enables states to develop durable strategies that improve student persistence, completion, and post-completion success.
Contact Us
For inquiries about the project, contact John Lane, Vice President for Academic Affairs at jlane@sheeo.org.