How It Works
Digitability · Work simulations
Every student gets
real work experience.
Help students take on meaningful roles, practice workplace skills, and build a portfolio that shows what they can do.
Start a classroom project, strengthen a school-based business, or document the work students already do in the community.
Watch: how Work Simulations bring skills, roles, and portfolios together · 1:33
How it works
From a project idea
to a work-ready portfolio.
Four connected steps help educators turn classroom instruction and real-world opportunities into meaningful work experience.
01 / THE PROCESSChoose a project
Start a coffee shop, school store, candle company, or digital project—or document a real job placement. Build the experience around your students and program goals.
02 / THE PROCESSStudents get hired
Students take on employee roles, manage tasks, and practice workplace communication. Responsibilities and supports can match each student’s skills.
03 / THE PROCESSPractice behavior for success
Connect communication and workplace behavior to performance, recognition, and earnings in Bankability. Give students opportunities to reflect and grow.
04 / THE PROCESSBuild a portfolio
Collect project samples and evidence of student work. Help students show employers what they can do, how they work, and what they have accomplished.
Differentiation built in
One shared project.
A meaningful role for everyone.
Students can contribute at different skill levels, with the support that’s right for them. A coffee shop might include a greeter, order preparation, a cashier, and a shift manager.
Match responsibilities to each learner while building communication, technology, independence, and workplace readiness together.
Explore differentiation →Annual Work Simulation Competition
See what schools are building.
Real classrooms. Real projects. Explore coffee shops, student businesses, websites, and more from Digitability schools.
Rocket Fuel Coffee Shop
C3 Artisans
Tartan Treats
Burn & Learn Candle Co.
Greeting Cards
Lions' Den Café
Career Workshop Website
J.P. T-Shirts
Snack ShackStart anywhere. Go anywhere.
Build on what your
program already does.
Use the framework to launch a new project or bring curriculum and progress monitoring to experiences already underway.
Food & Hospitality
Coffee shops, cafés, food trucks, and catering.
Digital & Tech
Websites, YouTube channels, data entry, and internet safety projects.
School-Based Business
School stores, print shops, supply rooms, and copy centers.
Community Work
Capture skills from internships and real job placements.
Trades & Vocational
Greenhouses, candle making, janitorial skills, and woodworking.
Creative & Arts
Greeting cards, screen printing, art sales, and creative pop-ups.
Office & Admin
Scheduling, filing, copying, and office production.
Have your own idea?
Your Implementation Coach helps you build a plan around it.
Structure behind every project
You don’t have to
build it alone.
Your Implementation Coach helps connect your project to curriculum, progress monitoring, and transition goals—from your first idea to launch.
- Build around your students and classroom schedule.
- Align existing projects with a structured instructional plan.
- Work through implementation questions with a dedicated coach.
Meet a graduate
From classroom to career:
DeShaun’s story.
DeShaun entered Digitability in ninth grade. During a Work Simulation for a community garden, he served as inventory manager on the website team, using spreadsheets to track produce and prices.
That work became part of a portfolio that helped him land a job.
Watch DeShaun’s journey to employment.
“As we lead our students into a tech-driven future, Digitability moves students closer to their career and life goals.”
Bring your project to life
What could your
students build?
Tell us about your school or program. We’ll help you explore a Work Simulation pathway that fits your students and implementation needs.
- Classroom projects, school-based businesses, or community work
- Differentiated roles and instructional resources
- Progress monitoring and portfolio development
- Support from an Implementation Coach
Request your free quote
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