Updated November 2026

A student’s first workplace can become a classroom for confidence, communication, and career direction. Work-Based Learning Experiences, often called WBLEs, give students an opportunity to practice real duties with support while employers help strengthen the future workforce.

Confirmed facts

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation defines a WBLE as a community-based experience that uses the workplace or real work to help students with disabilities connect school experiences to real-life work activities and career opportunities. WBLE is one of the five Pre-Employment Transition Services available to students with disabilities. Read Florida VR’s description of WBLE and transition services.

Florida VR also explains that Pre-ETS serve students with disabilities ages 14–21 who are enrolled in school. Individual participation depends on applicable documentation, referrals, authorizations, program requirements, and available opportunities. Review the official student and youth FAQ.

Mentoring Me Inc.’s interpretation

A successful WBLE is built around learning, not simply completing tasks. The strongest experiences give a student clear duties, a dependable supervisor, feedback, and time to reflect on what was learned.

Students can practice arriving on time, asking questions, following directions, working with others, solving routine problems, and responding to feedback. Employers can introduce young people to their industry, observe emerging talent, and create a more inclusive local workforce. Families can reinforce the same habits at home by helping students plan transportation, prepare appropriate clothing, and discuss each workday.

What makes a strong host site?

• A safe and welcoming environment
• Meaningful duties connected to workplace needs
• A supervisor who can explain tasks and provide feedback
• Reasonable opportunities for the student to practice and improve
• Communication with the service provider when questions arise

One practical next step

Employers can identify one entry-level role or project that a student could learn with supervision. Write down three to five realistic duties and the workplace skills those duties would help develop. Students and families can write down the student’s interests, preferred work environment, transportation plan, and two skills the student wants to practice.

To ask about student services or possible next steps, complete Mentoring Me Inc.’s Request Services form. Employers interested in hosting students or discussing workforce partnerships may visit the Employers page. Participation, eligibility, placement, and authorization are determined through the appropriate process and are not guaranteed by submitting an inquiry.