Intimidator Group and ICC signed an agreement to establish the Engineering Pathway at an assembly held in the ICC gymnasium at Brockwell on Friday, Aug. 25. Pictured above from left to right: Intimidator Group Human Resources Manager Wiley Osborn, Intimidator Group Director of Engineering Jeremy Gill, ICC Superintendent Fred Walker, and ICC STEM Coordinator Courtney Selph.
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Intimidator Group and Izard County Consolidated (ICC) recently announced their partnership to establish an Engineering Pathway, a collaborative effort between the engineering team at Intimidator Group and the ICC high school staff for introducing students to technical careers through a work-based learning program.
“As a local manufacturer, one of the hurdles we face is recruiting for technical positions in this area,” said Jeremy Gill, director of engineering, Intimidator Group. “By working directly with our educators, we can generate interest in these types of careers early on and show students how they can pursue well-paying technical jobs close to home.”
Under the direction of ICC’s STEM coordinator Courtney Selph, the program is designed to promote exploration of and exposure to the engineering field through project-based learning experiences. The Engineering Pathway is open to students in grades nine through twelve and includes courses like Intro to Engineering and Design as well as Computer Science Essentials. As the program grows and develops, course offerings will continue to expand.
“Living in a rural community, it is so important that we expose our students to postsecondary education opportunities and work endlessly to educate them in career pathways both in and outside of the STEM realm,” said Selph. “Jumping at an opportunity like this was unquestionably a step forward in our district’s STEM journey, but it was also another way to show that we put our students and their futures first.”
Intimidator Group and ICC officially kicked off the partnership by signing the agreement at a high school assembly on Friday, Aug. 25. Students were addressed by representatives of both organizations explaining the benefits of the program, including the tangible assets provided by The Toro Company (TTC), parent company of Intimidator Group.
Along with the instruction and mentorship of professional engineers, TTC is donating three 3D printers, robotics kits, and an all-expense paid trip to The Toro Company’s headquarters in Minnesota for the students and parents of the team that wins the capstone design competition.
“We are excited to begin this partnership with Intimidator Group so that we can continue to offer new opportunities for our students,” said Fred Walker, ICC School District superintendent. “This initiative follows closely with our STEM program, and we look forward to helping provide future engineers for the Intimidator and Toro groups.”
