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Educator Externship Program

Learn about Industry from the Inside Out

Spend three days learning about Louisiana’s world-class industrial facilities, where chemistry, engineering, and skilled trades power everyday life.

The GBRIA/NORIA Educator Externship gives middle and high school teachers, counselors, and CTE staff a behind-the-scenes look at the plants, people, and career paths that keep our state’s economy strong.

Why participate?

  • Earn a $1,000 professional development stipend

  • Tour manufacturing sites and training programs and see STEM in action

  • Meet industry professionals from process operations, maintenance, and engineering

  • Bring back real-world lessons and career resources for your students

“Now I can show my students what opportunity really looks like.”
— 2024 Participant, Baton Rouge Cohort

Who Should Apply

  • Middle & high school educators

  • Counselors and career coaches who help students plan their futures

  • Program directors or administrators eager to strengthen school-industry partnerships 

Program Dates

Baton Rouge Region Cohort 1: June 24-26, 2025

Baton Rouge Region Cohort 2: June 25-27, 2025

New Orleans Region Cohort 1: July 15-17, 2025

What You’ll Experience

Day 1 – Industry Foundations

  • Welcome & orientation

  • Safety and workforce development overview

  • Interactive “Products of Industry” session

  • Contractor presentations & live demonstrations at ABC

Day 2 – Inside the Plant

  • Guided plant tour hosted by member companies

  • Observe maintenance, laboratory, logistics, and operations teams

  • Q&A with plant personnel and leadership

Day 3 – Connecting to the Classroom

  • Hands-on curriculum integration activity

  • Community & technical college presentation + campus tour

  • Industry panel discussion

  • Reflection, feedback, and closing celebration

Participants must complete all three days to receive the stipend.

Program Outcomes

Since its launch, the Educator Externship has:

  • Connected more than 170 educators with regional industry leaders

  • Reached 5,000+ students through classroom integration projects

  • Inspired new school-industry partnerships across South Louisiana

Educators return with firsthand knowledge, career connections, and lesson plans to help students see rewarding futures in instrumentation, electrical, welding, millwrighting, pipefitting, and process operations.

Host an Educator – Build the Future Workforce

GBRIA and NORIA member companies play a vital role in developing Louisiana’s next generation of craft professionals.
Host sites provide two or more educators with a three-day immersion, including PPE, lunch, and site tours.

Host investment: $1,400 per educator (minimum 2)
Payment can be made to GBRIA (501(c)(6)) or LCEF (501(c)(3)).
Host sites follow the official Educator Externship Rubric to ensure a consistent and meaningful experience.

What Past Participants Are Saying

“I learned so much about careers in the industry and what it takes to be successful. I feel better equipped to help my students explore what might be a good fit for them.”

“This program was extremely successful. It’s inspired me to create a summer internship program for my own parish.”

“The wealth of information I can now bring to my students will be life-changing.”

Apply Now

Applications close April 18, 2025.
Space is limited — apply early to secure your cohort.

Questions?

Brandon Smith

brandon@gbria.org

(225) 769-0596, extension 17

About GBRIA & NORIA

The Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) and the New Orleans Region Industry Alliance (NORIA) are non-profit industry associations representing over 60 manufacturing facilities and 100+ industrial contractors and suppliers across South Louisiana.


Together, we’re bridging education and industry to prepare students for successful, high-demand careers.