D91 and INL announce new partnership, creation of INL Future Corps Program
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho Falls School District 91 announced Monday a new partnership with Battelle Energy Alliance and Idaho National Laboratory to create the INL Future Corps program, which will provide D91 students with pathways to high-demand, high-quality job opportunities at INL.
Specifically, the partnership will create a career and technical education program in industrial mechanical technology and construction/trade jobs at the district’s new stand-alone Center for Career and Technical Education. The INL Future Corps program also will include work-based learning opportunities at INL, mentoring, career counseling and job assistance for D91 students.
“Idaho Falls School District 91 is committed to providing students with the very best educational opportunities so they can land their dream job, and this partnership with INL will create a unique pathway for students who want to stay in eastern Idaho and build a future at one of the country’s greatest research facilities,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Shank said.
The INL partnership is part of the district’s ongoing efforts to expand its career and technical education offerings. D91’s new career and technical education center is slated to open this fall. The district is also working to forge strong partnerships with local industry that will allow students to gain valuable real-world experience, pursue industry certifications in an array of fields and earn the college credits many CTE programs currently offer.
The partnership also represents a significant INL commitment by developing a community workforce to meet its future needs. Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages Idaho National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, is investing time, energy and resources into designing coursework aligned to INL and other industry workforce needs, offering teacher training and mentoring and providing a $20,000 grant for equipment, materials and supplies for the program.
“We are thrilled to partner with District 91 and provide opportunities for their students in Career Technical Education,” said Carlo Melbihess, INL Facilities & Site Services director. “With this partnership, youth in eastern Idaho will be able to explore the world of technical careers close to home.”
“This new partnership creates hands-on and work-based learning pathways leading to highpaying, high-demand jbs at INL in industrial mechanics and construction trades for students right here in our own community,” said Jennifer Jackson, INL re-college & Early Workforce Development Programs manager.
Registration is currently under way for the district’s CTE programs, which range from certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, culinary arts, computer science, auto tech, law enforcement, fire, and the new industrial mechanical technology and construction/trades.
Students interested in pursuing any of these opportunities should check out the CTE Course Catalog HERE and talk to their high school counselor.
