Work Based Learning and Diploma Seals

An academic internship integrates academic learning with practical application in a professional setting. It is ideal for students who are NOT in a career and technical education (CTE) pathway, but who have identified a career interest area and have taken applicable accompanying coursework.This opportunity is typically available to seniors who are on track to graduate.

Example(s)

• A student has identified a desire to work in the healthcare industry and has taken relevant science courses before securing an internship at a hospital.
• A student works with an industry expert advisor to provide academic tutoring support to high school students in a specific subject matter.

Location

• Local business or organization

Course Code to Use

• 0530 Career Exploration Internship. 1-3 credits per semester, 6 credits max

Experience Hours 

• 75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 1-2 semesters

Mandatory Documentation

The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in the appropriate course listed above. Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!

A technical internship is aligned with a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway and embedded in the requirements of a student’s CTE coursework and usually takes place at an external worksite or embedded as part of a CTE course. It also serves as a capstone for students to apply the CTE program classroom learning. 

Note: To meet CTE requirements for funded WBL courses, the skills must be aligned to either a career interest area and technical coursework (WBL Capstone 5974), aligned with a student’s CTE pathway. 

Example(s)
A student enrolled in the Health Sciences CTE pathway participates in clinicals or practicums in a Health Science CTE Course.

A senior who is enrolled in the WBL capstone course and has been hired by a nursing home as a CNA.

Location

• External Employer related to students’ CTE pathway
• Embedded as part of a CTE pathway course

Course Code(s) to Use:

• 5974 WBL Capstone. 1-3 credits per semester, 6 credits max
• Some pathway courses/capstones embed WBL hours and will automatically offer this experience as part of the curriculum

Experience Hours

•  75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal
• 150 hours for Employment Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 1-2 semesters or longer depending on pathway requirements

Mandatory Documentation
The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in the appropriate course listed above or a CTE pathway that embeds a WBL experience. Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!

An industry-developed team challenge immerses students in a classroom or club experience where they engage in a real-life problem-solving scenario with an industry partner to apply and use their learning in an authentic context. Professionals evaluate the student’s solution at the end of the unit.

Example(s)
A student is involved with a career technical school club such as Ace Mentoring, Vex Robotics, Skills USA, HOSA, or FFA. The club then works with local partners for a project or participates in a regional, national, or state competition.

Location
School or site determined by club advisor

Course Code(s) to Use:

• Varies. These experiences are embedded as part of some academic or technical pathways unless predetermined by the school.

Experience Hours

• 25-75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 1-2 semesters 

Mandatory Documentation
The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in the appropriate course that provides an industry-developed team challenge. Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!

A micro internship allows students to explore multiple career interests in the best available time window for them. It is more than a job shadow. Students utilize their summer, Fall and/or Spring breaks, weekends or afterschool time to receive work-based learning.

Example(s)

• A student has identified an interest in graphic design and uses Spring Break to complete a short-term project with a local marketing agency to explore the field.
• A student works with an industry expert advisor to perform academic research in a specific career field during their summer break.

Location

• Local business or organization

Course Code to Use:

• 0543 WBL Level 1: Employability Skills Development 

Experience Hours

• 25 hours. Students can combine up to three separate micro internship experiences to meet the Enrollment Plus Seal option

Anticipated Completion Time

• Varies as experiences can be completed at any time.

Mandatory Documentation
The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in the appropriate course listed above.Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!

A school-based enterprise is a student-run business operating within a school. It gives students hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, management, marketing, and other business skills by creating and selling goods or services to the school community. This experience serves as a real-world learning lab where students apply what they learn in the classroom. These experiences typically take place within CTE pathways.

Example(s)
A student is enrolled in the Culinary Arts pathway at Arsenal Tech High School and works in the student-run restaurant, Colonel’s Cupboard.

Location
School

Course Code(s) to Use:

• Varies. These experiences are embedded as part of some CTE pathways and predetermined by the school

Experience Hours

• 75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal
• 150 hours for Employment Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 1-2 semesters or longer depending on pathway requirements

Mandatory Documentation

The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in a CTE pathway that offers a school-based enterprise. Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!

A workplace simulation mirrors a live workplace setting. It may include facilities, inputs, resources, and equipment provided by an employer or the school. Students should experience a range of positions within the simulated workplace to understand various aspects of the business/career path and skills sets required for success. This WBL choice may provide networking opportunities with industry professionals, customers, and clients.

Example(s)
A student participates in the Fire and Rescue pathway at Arsenal Tech in partnership with the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Location
School

Course Code to Use:

• Varies. These experiences are embedded as part of some CTE pathways and predetermined by the school

Experience Hours

• 75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal
• 150 hours for Employment Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 1-2 semesters or longer depending on pathway requirements

Mandatory Documentation
The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in a pathway that offers a workplace simulation as an embedded WBL experience. Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school! 

(Will be transitioning to Indiana Career Apprenticeship Program – INCAP in 2026-27)

A modern youth apprenticeship is a structured WBL program defined by the state, and integrates school-based and work-based learning through an aligned, competency-based education and training plan. This apprenticeship must be paid and must provide the opportunity to earn post-secondary credit. These apprenticeships have been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and are registered. Students typically start an apprenticeship as a Junior and are enrolled in a related CTE or academic pathway.

Examples
An 11th grade student is enrolled in a Modern Youth Apprenticeship with the Indianapolis Airport Authority and taking CTE coursework in the Welding pathway at Arsenal Tech.They attend school in the morning and work each afternoon 12:00-4:00 pm.

An 11th grade non-CTE student is enrolled in a registered apprenticeship for Retail Banking. They are scheduled to work 3 days per week for 8 hours per day.

Location
Local business or organization

Course Code(s) to Use:

• 5974 WBL Capstone. 1-3 credits per semester, 6 credits max. Or
• 6148 DOL Registered Apprenticeship. 1 semester course, may be taken for successive semesters; 12 credits max. Or
• May be embedded as part of a CTE pathway

Experience Hours

•  75 hours for Enrollment Plus Seal
• 150 hours for Employment Seal
• 650 hours for the Employment Plus Seal

Anticipated Completion Time

• 4-6 semesters 

Mandatory Documentation
The first step is talking to your counselor and enrolling in the appropriate course listed above (varies by apprenticeship) and completing an apprenticeship application (coming soon!) through EmployIndy.

Prior to starting your WBL experience, a personalized training plan will be created that supports your unique learning journey. Find out more from the Future Center team at your high school!