News & Events

Two learners from Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC), a Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 school, have earned national recognition after capturing the Gold Medal and National Championship in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) competition at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Isaac Giesbrecht and Gage Staples represented Idaho and PV-TEC after qualifying through state competition and went on to compete against 27 other high school EMT teams from across the nation. The competition tested learners' medical knowledge, critical thinking, teamwork, and patient care skills through a written examination and a series of hands-on assessments designed to replicate real-world emergency medical situations.

On Wednesday, competitors completed the first round of competition, where teams were presented with three patient-care scenarios requiring them to assess patients, identify medical conditions, and provide appropriate treatment. Following the first round, Giesbrecht and Staples advanced to the Top 8 teams in the nation and earned a place in Thursday's championship finals.

During the finals, teams faced three additional emergency scenarios that challenged their ability to communicate effectively, think critically under pressure, and provide accurate patient care.

The winners were announced Friday evening during the conference's awards ceremony, where Giesbrecht and Staples learned they had earned the highest overall score in the nation, securing Gold Medals and the National Championship title.

This was a great experience and an honor to represent Idaho, PV-TEC, and Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 on the national stage, said EMT Instructor, Mark Brood. “To advance through the preliminary rounds and ultimately be named national champions is an incredible accomplishment.”

SkillsUSA is the nation's premier career and technical education student organization, providing learners opportunities to develop leadership, workplace, and technical skills through competitions aligned with industry standards. The annual National Leadership & Skills Conference brings together the top career and technical education learners from every state to compete for national titles.

The national title showcases the strength of career and technical education opportunities available at PV-TEC and highlights the readiness of PCSD 25 learners to excel in high-demand healthcare careers.

About Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC)

Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC) is the school district's flagship career and technical education campus, providing learners with industry-leading, hands-on experiences that prepare them to excel in college, careers, and life.

About Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 serves more than 11,000 learners across southeastern Idaho and is dedicated to academic excellence, meaningful opportunities, and learner success, empowering every learner to Think More, Learn More, and Be More Together.

Late nights studying, grit and hard work pay off at the end of a school, and it was no different for the learners in the Apparel and Textile pathway at PV-TEC. These learners worked through this trimester on fine tuning their talent for detail. They designed, sewed and then modeled their designs at the 2nd annual PV-TEC fashion show. Friends and family were full of awe and support as the learners radiated confidence in their unique and individualized designs. As Ms. Housley said during the introduction of the show, "Sweat, tears and maybe a little blood has gone into these designs". Their work in apparel and textiles proved her right, and they came out on top! The learners also showed off their business skills, with the pop up shops with individual product they created and put together. 

Cheers to the apparel and textiles students, Brooklyn, Taylor, Karley, Capri, Kayas, Madisyn, Juniper, Keegan and Tess! Amazing accomplishment! 

This past week at PV-TEC the gallery was filled with the laughter and competitive spirit as learners participated in the cornhole tournament. The tournament was spearheaded by students who are enrolled in the Business Hospitality and Tourism course. They were required to plan to the smallest of details, get the word out to the other classrooms at PV-TEC and lastly to execute the tournament. Success was the winner this day, with the PV-TEC gallery filled with energy and excited learners! Thanks to the the learners for putting on a great tournament! 

You’re invited! Join us for the PV-TEC Fashion Show on May 20 at 6:00 p.m.

4200 Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck

Our talented Portneuf Valley Technical Education students will be showcasing original, self‑designed clothing on the runway. After the show, explore each student’s Pop‑Up Shop where you can purchase their creations and support young designers.

Questions? Call 208.235.6807

The following learners took and successfully passed the Fire Skills Assessment, resulting in a 100 percent passage rate for the group:

• Case Brown
• Gabriel Capson
• Fabian Cedeno-Hernandez
• Andrew Cox
• Amelia Curr
• Carlos Gutierrez
• Jenna Jemmett
• Parker Jensen
• Jake Larsen
• Josiah Reynolds

Additional learners recognized:

• Mason Rowberry
• Marek VanderSchaaf
• William Woodin

Not sure where to begin in your plans for the future? PV-TEC offers more than just focused industry classes, with Mrs. Dayley you are able to work on career explorations and foundational skills that will guide you to a future profession.  If you, as a learner, want to learn a trade but are uncertain which pathway to take. Join us in Career Exploration and Employment Preparation at PV-TEC and find your way! 

These learners in career exploration are working on a foundational employment preparation skill, teambuilding! However, we don't just talk the talk, we learn how to apply to hands on experiences, such as these lego towers. 

Second trimester has started, and these PV-TEC learners know how to dive right in! Some of our learners are continuing their 2-trimester programs, while some are beginning a new program. Needless to say these learners are warming up despite the chilly weather, and are already immersed into new knowledge as well as continuing to build upon 1st trimester studies. Instructors and learners alike are anxious to see what 2nd trimester can bring! #wegotthis #youbelonghere #PCSD25 

This last week PV-TEC learners in a variety of programs were able to get hands-on experience with technical skills training. They are preparing for certification exams, class finals and fulfilling careers. Culinary arts learners decorated their own bakery cookies. The pharmacy tech program this past week practiced providing vaccinations, while the photography class worked on their camera skills. Firefighter learners were able to get in gear and practice ladders and extinguishing, while Nursing Assistant learners practice body mechanics with a guest speaker, Lindsey Pratt, PTA instructor from ISU. And of course we don't forget our love for our animals, the Vet tech assistant learners worked on fine tuning their equine dental care. These learners are growing confidence in their skills and just waiting to see what they learn next! 

We love seeing our PV-TEC students getting real-world experience and exploring future pathways in nursing! Thank you to Idaho State University College of Technology for giving our students the opportunity to see what’s next after earning their CNA. #PCSD25 #FutureNurses

We’re thrilled to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Portneuf Valley Technical Education & Career Campus! This marks an exciting new chapter for our community—empowering students, supporting local industry, and shaping the future of hands-on education in Southeast Idaho. Thank you to everyone who made this day unforgettable!

Electives Fair

Thursday, January 30 - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Thursday, February 6 - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: 4200 Hawthorne Rd.

All PCSD 25 current high school learners and incoming freshman are welcome.

Eight local RNs gathered together for a day of training with the CNAs at PV-TEC. They bring over 200 years of combined experience, including backgrounds in Life Flight, ICU, and emergency rooms, as well as a special day of service from a Disneyland nurse.

We appreciate your dedication to our community and your willingness to share your expertise at PV-TEC!

The Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC), part of the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 (PCSD 25), learned Wednesday that it has been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) program. The grant represents the largest award during the second round of grants this year.

The Idaho Career Ready Students Program Council met Wednesday and approved 11 of 41 proposals for career technical program grants for schools and districts across Idaho. Created during the March 2023 legislative session, the Career Ready Students Program, HB267, carved out $45 million to incentivize “districts to create instruction that provides focused training to prepare students to meet the needs of local industry and workforce partners.”

PCSD 25 plans to use the $6.5 million grant to fund the expansion of the PV-TEC facility, which the district purchased in 2022. The grant was submitted on behalf of PV-TEC by Rhonda Naftz, the school’s administrator and Sue Pettit, the district’s Director of Secondary Education.
Naftz, who has been instrumental in executing the district’s vision for career technical education and career path programming, said, “I am incredibly grateful to the State of Idaho and the grant committee for embracing the PV-TEC vision. The ICRS grant award of $6.5 million will build classrooms and shops for learners to gain industry skills and knowledge while in high school. Our CTE students gain a community of like-minded learners and a place of belonging. This facility and the learning that takes place inside of it will offer opportunities for generations of Idahoans.”
According to a press release from the Idaho State Department of Education, the council favored PV-TEC because this was the only area in Idaho without a regional Career Technical Center. PV-TEC will serve students from communities that do not have facilities in their own area to access CTE training.

The ICRS program reflects a historic $45 million investment in Idaho CTE. Grants are designed to increase the capacity of CTE in middle and high schools (grades 7 – 12) across the state by incentivizing districts to create programs that prepare students to meet local and regional industry workforce needs. ICRS funds are separate from the Division of Career Technical Education and reduce reliance on federal funds for CTE programs.

The council received over $26.5 million in requests — 13 received for existing programs, 19 for new programs, and nine for capital project support (new facilities or significant improvements to existing facilities). The bulk of financial requests, $23.5 million, fell under support for capital projects.