Director of Work Based Learning

Career Guide

A Director of Work Based Learning leads programs that connect learners with real workplace experience, such as internships, apprenticeships, and project based placements. The role blends employer partnership building, program design, learner support, and performance tracking to ensure participants gain job ready skills and employers receive reliable talent.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the strategy and goals for work based learning programs
Build and maintain employer partnerships
Design program models, timelines, and learner pathways
Align workplace experiences with learning outcomes
Create processes for placement matching and onboarding
Lead staff hiring, coaching, and performance management
Oversee budgets, vendor relationships, and contracts
Ensure compliance with labor rules, safety standards, and program policies
Coordinate support services for learners and supervisors
Track outcomes and report results to leadership and funders
Improve program quality using feedback from learners and employers
Represent the program in community and industry networks

Top Skills for Success

Employer Partnership Development

Program Design

Stakeholder Management

People Leadership

Budget Management

Contract Management

Outcome Measurement

Data Literacy

Workplace Learning Design

Compliance Management

Risk Management

Change Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Work Based Learning Manager

Career Services Manager Employer Relations Manager

Apprenticeship Program Manager

Talent Development Manager

Workforce Development Manager

Transition Opportunities

Senior Director of Workforce Development

Director of Career Pathways

Director of Apprenticeships

Director of Talent Programs

Head of Partnerships

Vice President of Workforce Development

Chief Learning Officer

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Employer Sales StrategyProgram ScalingProcess DesignOutcome MeasurementCost ModelingContract NegotiationCompliance ManagementData ReportingSupervisor Training DesignFunding Strategy

Development SuggestionsStrengthen employer facing skills by building a repeatable outreach and account management process. Create a simple outcomes dashboard with clear definitions for placement, completion, retention, and wage growth. Partner with legal and finance teams to standardize contracts, risk reviews, and cost models. Invest in supervisor training materials to improve on site mentoring quality.

Market Intelligence Report

Director of Work Based Learning is part of the Career & Vocational Education category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 95,000 to 125,000

Mid LevelUSD 120,000 to 165,000

Senior LevelUSD 160,000 to 220,000

Growth Trend

Growing demand, driven by employer talent shortages, increased investment in apprenticeships, and stronger focus on career connected education and measurable job outcomes.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Community CollegesPublic School DistrictsState Workforce AgenciesYear UpJobs for the FutureMultiverseGuildIBMSiemensAmazonBoeingUnitedHealth GroupKaiser Permanente

Industry Sectors

Higher EducationK12 EducationNonprofit Workforce DevelopmentGovernment and Public SectorHealthcareAdvanced ManufacturingTechnologyFinancial ServicesLogistics and Supply ChainConstruction and Skilled Trades

Recommended Next Steps

Audit current work based learning programs and identify the highest impact improvements

Build a target employer list and create a partnership outreach plan

Define success metrics and set a quarterly reporting cadence

Create standardized templates for agreements, job scopes, and learner onboarding

Develop a supervisor training toolkit to improve workplace experience quality

Map funding sources and create a sustainable budget plan

Collect learner and employer feedback and use it to refresh program design

Join a regional apprenticeship or workforce coalition to expand partnerships