This checklist is designed to help employers successfully plan, implement, and improve Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences for students and young professionals. It walks organizations through each stage of the process, from determining the type of experience they can realistically support to evaluating outcomes afterward.

Key areas covered include:

• Determining the level of commitment the organization can offer, ranging from guest speaking and job shadows to internships, apprenticeships, and formal worksite learning placements.
• Defining the goals of the experience, including target audience, expected participant skills, desired outcomes, and potential future workforce pathways.
• Preparing logistics such as staffing, materials, safety requirements, accessibility, liability considerations, and contingency planning.
• Establishing resume review standards if the experience includes career-readiness activities.
• Ensuring the experience itself is structured with schedules, participant guidance, safety communication, reflection opportunities, and staff engagement.
• Conducting post-experience evaluation and refinement through feedback collection, internal debriefs, and identifying future engagement opportunities for participants.

The document was developed to support collaboration between business and education partners and strengthen workforce development pathways through meaningful career-connected learning opportunities.