College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Work-Based Learning Center (WBLC) continues to make an impact in connecting students with meaningful career opportunities, earning the 2026 Handshake Career Spark Award for the second consecutive year. The national recognition honors the WBLC as one of only 40 institutions selected from more than 1,600 colleges and universities using the Handshake platform.
Handshake is an online platform that connects students and recent graduates with internships, jobs, and career-building opportunities. At CWI, the WBLC builds on these connections by helping students explore career pathways, gain hands-on experience, and develop relationships with employers throughout the community.
The Career Spark Award recognizes institutions that demonstrate exceptional impact in connecting students with career opportunities, strengthening employer partnerships, and creating innovative pathways from education to employment.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the relationships we’ve built between students, employers, faculty, and our community,” said John Russ, Executive Director of the Center. “Receiving this award for the second year in a row demonstrates our continued commitment to helping students explore careers, gain valuable experience, and connect with employers who are eager to invest in the next generation of talent.”
Since it’s launch, the WBLC has connected students with hundreds of work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and industry experiences. Through these connections, students gain valuable workplace experience, build professional skills, and explore career paths while putting their classroom knowledge into practice.
The WBLC's back-to-back Career Spark Awards reflects CWI's continued commitment to student success and building strong connections between education and industry. By working alongside employers and community partners, the College helps students take meaningful steps toward their career goals while supporting Idaho's growing workforce needs.
To learn more or get connected, call 208.562.2562, email wblc@cwi.edu, or visit the WBLC webpage.
