(a) The purpose of work experience education is to provide students with an integrated instructional program that provides opportunities to connect academic curricula to applied experiential learning in the workplace. Work experience education should be substantive in nature, linked in a way relevant to a student's educational pathway, and contribute to demonstrable learning outcomes that have value towards a degree or certificate.

(b) Work experience education within the California Community Colleges involves student employment and/or internships selected, approved, and supervised by districts to provide meaningful work experiences related to the course of study, or specific career pathway training, combined with instruction in critical workplace skills. Work experience education may include paid or unpaid employment, full or part-time employment, and may be structured as separate credit or noncredit classes, or integrated as a component of a course. It should be integrated as part of a student's educational pathway allowing students to achieve both educational and occupational goals. It should also assist the student in developing career awareness, learning industry culture, competencies and norms, and developing professional networks in their desired field to support career mobility. Work experience education should provide economically disadvantaged students with opportunities to earn a wage while completing program requirements and earning academic credit.