Specialized skills and workforce training are important to any successful business, large or small. Relocating and expanding businesses often make workforce quality a top priority because everything else becomes moot without it. Communities with a dynamic, demand-driven workforce system prove the best solution for a growing company.
Progressive communities are expanding their training offerings. These programs improve marketability for those just entering the workforce and retrain displaced workers who likely already have considerable skills, but need additional industry-specific training. The result is a better prepared employee for companies.
Voters in three North Idaho school districts recently approved two-year property tax increases to build a $9.5 million professional-technical high school. The Kootenai Technical Education Campus is a partnership between business and industry leaders, local school districts and manufacturers. The school will accommodate 180 students and initially provide specialty training in health occupations, welding, construction and automotive technology when it opens in 2013. Curriculum is being developed to expand the instructional offering to include training in hospitality, drafting, manufacturing, and airframe and power plant mechanics.
Those plans follow the opening of the Kalispel Career Training Center in Priest River, Idaho. Programs in advanced welding, metal fabrication and culinary arts are available. Additional programs are being developed to address upcoming workforce needs. Program partners include the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Pend Oreille County Economic Development Council and Public Utilities District, Seattle City Lights, Cusick School District, Selkirk School District, Newport School District, Community Colleges of Spokane, Washington State University Extension Office, Port of Pend Oreille, Teck, Heater Craft, Work Source, Institute for Extended Learning, and Pend Oreille County.
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