GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Islander Express, a student-run coffee and bagel shop in Grand Island, is actively transforming the way students with different abilities prepare for the workforce. The shop delivers hands-on job experience, training students in critical employment skills as it serves the local community each weekday morning.
The program is managed through the Workforce Prep Academy, a partnership between Grand Island Public Schools and Big Apple Bagels. Coordinator Lori Watts highlighted the program’s urgency and impact as it ramps up support for students who plan to enter the workforce directly after graduation.
“Many students don’t plan to go to college, so Workforce Prep Academy offers them essential work skills inside a real business environment,” Watts explained. “Islander Express lets them practice money handling, customer service, and teamwork — all critical for successful employment.”
Students engage with customers daily but are supported by trained job coaches who guide them through initial nerves and challenges. “They start out nervous, unsure of what customers will say,” Watts said. “But job coaches work side by side to build confidence and solve any issues, setting them up for success.”
One student currently honing these skills is junior Keelie Andersen. “I hope this helps me become a better waitress or customer service worker,” she shared, showing how the program is already altering career trajectories.
Regular patrons notice the unique atmosphere as well. Customer Ed Meedle praised the shop’s inviting setting, quiet space, and friendly service. “It’s perfect for meetings or relaxing coffee breaks,” Meedle said. “Everyone’s welcoming, and the food is great.”
The shop operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Workforce Prep Academy building at 644 S. Locust St. Islander Express is open to the entire community, with Watts urging support to help students gain crucial customer interaction.
“This is not just for Grand Island Public Schools—it’s for the whole community to enjoy and help our students learn job skills they need,” Watts said.
The academy provides an alternative educational environment designed for students who thrive outside traditional classrooms. Its mission centers on career exploration and building work experience for young people with diverse abilities, preparing them for successful employment in Grand Island and beyond.
Early success stories show students securing jobs in community workplaces, signaling promising futures emerging straight from this coffee shop training ground.
For more details on Islander Express and the Workforce Prep Academy, visit the Grand Island Public Schools website. The program represents a growing national focus on inclusive workforce readiness, inspiring similar initiatives across the United States — including opportunities for communities here in Montana to support diverse young talent entering the job market today.
