WASHINGTON (July 14, 2026) — A new report by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) finds that career and technical education programs that include high-quality work-based learning require not just an entrepreneurial mindset on the part of school leaders but support from policymakers, industry, and philanthropy. While there are many structured learning experiences available today, the report advocates for building the basic infrastructure that ensures every student has access to programs that help them complete graduation requirements, understand employer expectations, and build a foundation for future educational or career opportunities.
Authored by Rachel Canter, PPI’s Director of Education Policy, and Bruno Manno, Senior Advisor of PPI’s What Works Lab, “A Practical Guide to Work-Based Learning: Lessons from Six Programs at the Cutting-Edge of Career Education,” highlights six innovative career education programs across the country. While these programs differ in student demographics, geography, and industry focus, they all reflect a model called opportunity pluralism, an idea that young adults should have more than one credible route to a good and dignified life.
“The best work-based learning programs give students’ high school experience purpose by authentically connecting academic learning to their career field of interest,” said Canter. “With proper infrastructure, these programs can transform children’s lives and better prepare them for their lives after high school graduation.”
To expand the number of career and technical education programs that offer high-quality work-based learning nationwide, Canter and Manno outline recommendations for policymakers, school leaders, employers, and philanthropies:
Policymakers should
School leaders should
Industry should
Philanthropy should
“These programs cannot be seen as merely an add-on,” said Manno. “Policymakers, schools, industry, and philanthropic partners must take action to help work-based learning move beyond a niche offering to part of a widespread career and technical education system that ensures student success.”
Read and download the report here.
The What Works Lab (WWL) gathers evidence on the effectiveness of programs that create education and training career pathways to jobs and opportunities for students and workers. This information helps policymakers, practitioners, employers, and other stakeholders foster continuous learning and enhance the effectiveness of career pathways programs.
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us at @ppi.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
