IDAHO FALLS — The College of Eastern Idaho and the Idaho National Laboratory are partnering to launch a new summer dual-credit program designed to connect East Idaho high school students with in-demand careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Summer STEM Bridge Program will offer eligible students five to six free college credits while introducing them to fields including energy, cybersecurity and engineering — industries that represent some of the region’s fastest-growing workforce needs.
The in-person program runs from June 2 through July 23 at CEI’s campus in Idaho Falls, making it one of the first initiatives housed in the college’s new Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute building. Seats are limited, and enrollment is open to high school sophomores, juniors and graduating seniors. CEI will host an information session for students and parents on Sunday, April 13, at 7 p.m. on the CEI campus. Families can also sign up through CEI’s website.
What the Program Covers
Students enrolled in the Summer STEM Bridge Program will take Fundamentals of Network Security alongside a college-level mathematics course. In addition to classroom instruction, enrollees will participate in two field trips to Idaho National Laboratory facilities in eastern Idaho — giving students direct exposure to one of the region’s most significant employers and a cornerstone of Idaho’s nuclear energy and national security research sectors.
The coursework is structured to provide students with a tangible introduction to cybersecurity and technical disciplines, areas where demand for trained workers continues to outpace supply both in Bonneville County and across the state of Idaho. INL alone employs thousands of scientists, engineers and technical professionals, many of whom work alongside private contractors and federal agencies with operations in East Idaho.
The program is being launched out of the new Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute building on CEI’s campus, marking a formal institutional commitment to connecting local students with career pathways tied to the region’s core industries. Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Free Credits Through Idaho’s Advanced Opportunities Program
The Summer STEM Bridge Program fits into a broader statewide framework designed to reduce the financial barriers students and families face when pursuing higher education. Idaho’s Advanced Opportunities program provides scholarship funding that covers the cost of dual-credit courses for eligible high school students, allowing them to earn college credits before graduating — often at no out-of-pocket cost to families.
The five to six credits offered through the Summer STEM Bridge Program are free to enrolled participants, lowering the cost barrier further for students who may not have otherwise considered college-level coursework during a summer term. Dual-credit programs have become a significant tool for Idaho school districts and community colleges seeking to improve post-secondary enrollment and workforce readiness, particularly in technical and trade-adjacent fields where regional employers report ongoing hiring challenges.
For families in the Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona and Ucon areas, the program offers a local option that does not require travel or relocation — a practical consideration for working families in Bonneville County. The CEI campus in Idaho Falls serves as the program’s base, with INL field trips built directly into the curriculum.
Building East Idaho’s Workforce Pipeline
Eastern Idaho’s economy is closely tied to the operations of the Idaho National Laboratory, which drives demand for skilled workers in engineering, information technology, nuclear science, cybersecurity and project management. Programs like the Summer STEM Bridge initiative are part of a longer-term regional strategy to develop a local talent pipeline that reduces reliance on recruiting workers from outside the area.
By introducing high school students to dual-credit coursework tied directly to INL’s core disciplines, CEI and its partners are working to close the gap between current student enrollment trends and the hiring needs of the region’s largest employers. Cybersecurity in particular has emerged as one of the most urgent workforce gaps nationally, with federal facilities and private contractors across East Idaho actively seeking qualified candidates.
For more statewide context on Idaho’s dual-credit and Advanced Opportunities policies, visit Idaho News. Additional coverage of education and workforce initiatives across the Idaho News Network is available at IdahoNewsNetwork.com.
What Comes Next
CEI will hold a student and parent information session on April 13 at 7 p.m. at the CEI campus in Idaho Falls. Enrollment is limited, and interested students are encouraged to sign up through the College of Eastern Idaho’s website. The program is scheduled to begin June 2 and run through July 23. This is the inaugural session of the program, and CEI has not yet announced whether additional cohorts or expanded enrollment will be offered in future years.