A partnership between Idaho Cleanup Project contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition and the College of Eastern Idaho is creating pathways to in-demand careers in project management and project controls.
Office of Environmental Management
September 8, 2026
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Carla Cooper, an Idaho Cleanup Project intern, is pictured with teammates at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) at the Idaho National Laboratory Site. From left: INTEC Project Controls Engineer (PCE) Larry Hubler, INTEC Project Controls Manager Cory Barrus, INTEC PCE Chad Caldwell, PCE Intern Carla Cooper and INTEC PCE Dina Alvarez.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – A partnership between Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) and the College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is creating pathways to in-demand careers in project management and project controls.
The collaboration, which launched project controls-centered courses at CEI in June, is designed to address a critical workforce gap that will allow the ICP team to continue delivering on commitments to the state of Idaho, ensure environmental protection and advance American energy interests.
The program is already making a profound impact. Carla Cooper is an IEC intern and a CEI student pursuing an associate degree in business with an emphasis on project controls.
“For me, the decision to focus on project controls was connected to both professional and personal goals, and a hands-on internship with IEC has been a challenging but rewarding experience as I seek to advance my career,” said Cooper.
Project controls professionals, also called project controls engineers, ultimately ensure large projects complete work on time, within budget and according to scope. In her internship, Cooper helped develop project and operations schedules to support work at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, ensuring daily deliverables were achieved.
“I have learned firsthand how project operations and project controls intersect to support a larger mission,” Cooper said. “As an intern, I was able to build strong relationships with colleagues, apply what I’m learning in class to real world situations and ultimately understand the variety of career opportunities out there.”
The CEI courses couple technical background and hands-on experience with industry-standard software and tools.
“The new course path for our students is just one example of the valuable partnership that has developed between CEI and IEC,” said Lori Barber, CEI president. “Ultimately this partnership is helping the college meet its goal to connect classroom learning with real world experience that empowers our students to become skilled professionals who will make a meaningful impact in Idaho and beyond.”
IEC President and Program Manager Dan Coyne echoed similar sentiments.
“IEC recognizes the value of our local colleges and universities and the role they play in cultivating the next generation of skilled workforce required to move America’s energy future forward," he said. “We are grateful to CEI, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this partnership.”
Cooper highlighted the value of industry and educational mentors.
“My colleagues at IEC and teachers at CEI have gone above and beyond to teach me everything they can, help me grow and feel invested in,” she said. “My internship and classroom experiences have ultimately helped me understand whether project management is truly the path I want to pursue.”
-Contributor: Carter Harrison
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