Nebraska Workforce Readiness Programs
Our Mission
Our mission is to assist Nebraska engineering and construction industries with attracting, developing, and hiring students.
Our Objectives
The Nebraska Transportation Center aims to create awareness among middle school, high school, and college students in Nebraska about the role of engineering and construction in society, and how it impacts every facet of our lives.
Our goal is to provide a place for students to engage with practitioners in a supportive environment, learn relevant industry skills not taught in classes and build confidence in the process, receive mentoring from practitioners and assistance from the program coordinator to improve student success in and out of the classroom, and connect students to an internship opportunity that matches their interest and skillsets.
Our Programs
Photo by ThisIsEngineering
Intern-Ready Program
Benefits to Students
- Acquire industry-needed skills to obtain internships
- Understand internship expectations from companies and agencies
- Receive mentoring from a practitioner
Benefits to Industry
- Students are ready to contribute from day one of an internship
- Students approach internships with the right mentality
- An improved student retention rate will lead to a bigger and more diverse pool of applicants
- Attract and hire student interns earlier in their academic careers
Photo by Vanessa Loring
Discover Transportation Engineering Summer Program
- For all high school students interested in transportation engineering.
- Students will spend 2.5 days and 2 nights at UNL where they will meet industry professionals and tour their workplaces, and compete to create solutions to transportation engineering problems. Students will experience what it's like to live on campus and get a head start on scholarship applications
- All expenses will be covered by the Nebraska Transportation Center, except for a $25 registration fee.
Now Accepting Applications!
Deadline to apply is April 30th.
Photo by Brett Sayles
Tracks to the Future
Railroad Transportation and Engineering Summer Youth Program
Rail is an essential transportation mode! Come and learn why rail is the most energy-efficient transportation mode and how effective it is compared to other modes in reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions. Also, come and learn about the elements and operations of a modern rail transport system. Learn these and more through interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and field visits to all sorts of railroad facilities!
Registration is Now Open!
Support Our Programs
We're investing in future engineers to build a better tomorrow. Your support will ensure that the Nebraska Transportation Center staff and faculty can provide students with the skills and confidence to achieve their goals. Here are some of the different ways you can support our team:
- Trainers for industry-needed skills such as the use of MicroStation for highway design, and how to read and create engineering drawings.
- Trainers to help students become effective contributors and leaders, learn to navigate and thrive in a work environment, and other soft skills.
- Tours of workplaces for students attending summer programs.
- Tours of ongoing engineering/construction projects for UNL students throughout the year and for students attending summer programs.
Contact
Dr. Nathan Huynh
Keith W. Klaasmeyer Chair of Engineering and Technology and Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering