Alliant’s Trailblazers initiative engages young people through STEM-based education, meets them where they are, and inspires the next generation of engineers, surveyors, planners, and landscape architects.
Fewer young people are pursuing interests in science and math, creating major workforce challenges across the engineering and public works industries. Alliant is proactively tackling this challenge through its creation of Trailblazers – a dedicated group of employee-owners committed to providing hands-on experiences in engineering, land survey, and community design. Through diverse lesson plans and partnerships with local schools and organizations, we offer students real world experiences that encourage curiosity and problem-solving skills.
The Traiblazers program connects with young people and fosters interest in STEM-based careers through two key initiatives: Classroom Engagement and Community Outreach.
Two key initiatives: Community & Classroom.
Classroom Engagement:
Many project proposals emphasize community engagement but often overlook young people. Recognizing the industry’s lack of incoming engineers, we saw an opportunity to not only meet public engagement requirements but also inspire the next generation of professionals.
By collaborating with schools along project corridors undergoing redesign, Trailblazers brings real-world engineering discussions to the classroom. Students actively participate in and understand the design process, gaining first-hand experience. When they later observe the project being constructed in their community they know what is happening, continuing the conversations long after Trailblazers classroom visits. Our team develops customized curricula aligned with school learning objectives while directly supporting project goals.
Community Outreach:
To spark interest beyond the classroom, Trailblazers devised interactive, thought-provoking lessons on the diverse services we provide. We partner with local organizations like STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair, Junior Achievement, and Camp Fire Minnesota to introduce young minds to our industry. Whether hosting students in our office or bringing lessons to them, our initiative has successfully engaged and inspired future STEM leaders.
By fostering meaningful connections between students and engineering professionals, Trailblazers helps young people envision themselves as STEM professionals. Supporting and promoting careers in engineering, planning, landscape architecture, land surveying, and the environmental field is a key part of Alliant’s commitment to building better communities – and ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future for the industry.
Work with Trailblazers