No positronic annihilation, but $5 million for Idaho Ec Dev

not even gamma rays, AFAIK.

Idaho had a major ‘hit’ on the US Dept of Labor’s WIRED grant program (Workforce Innovation in Regional Econ Devel) thanks to Joe Herring & his crew down in Twin Falls. I saw his proposal this first time (2+ years ago) and it deserved to be submitted; this time it was submitted and they got it!

A terrific proposal that wastes not a penny and really pulls together some good partnering.

Implications for Tech? We need technicians even more than we need engineers - the market-driven workforce development (WFD) model is exactly what other tech centers have. Beyond growing workforce competences, this helps build workforce flexibility. The Magic Valley now has capabilities for re-training that ups the state’s ability to move with shifts in tech.

Implications for Boise? The key leverage point in WFD is often community colleges; CSI & Jerry Beck are at the heart of this. As CWI moves forward, it too can learn from the other programs out there - and now there’s one nearby.

Moat important, maybe, is that a grassroots Idaho partnership stepped up and succeeded on a national stage.

Send kudos to Joe at jherring@rivda.org (he’ll say also congratulate Jerry Beck, jbeck@csi.edu). Time to be proud (and, yes, it’s very good for tech, LOL)

official ICL press release follows (they’re doing the happy dance too):

South Central Idaho Wins Federal Work Force Development Grant

South central Idaho is one of 13 regions across the country to be awarded a three-year, $5 million federal grant to develop the skilled work force needed to foster the area?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢s expanding industrial base.

?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ö‚ÄúThis grant recognizes the innovative approaches Idaho has been developing statewide and regionally to support our emerging manufacturing and other production sectors,?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ǭù Gov. C.L. ?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ö‚ÄúButch?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ǭù Otter said Wednesday in announcing the award from the U.S. Department of Labor under its Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative.

The grant provides $1 million in the first year and $2 million in both the second and third years to meet immediate work force needs for skilled trades of various manufacturing, construction and dairy-related businesses in the nine-county region. Strategies and programs will also be developed to support the employee needs of emerging sectors like bio-fuels while transforming the region?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢s labor pool to keep the economy viable for decades to come.

?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ö‚ÄúThis investment goes hand in glove with the governor?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢s emphasis on strengthening rural communities, and it can become the model for every region of our state,?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ǭù Idaho Commerce & Labor Director Roger B. Madsen said.

South central Idaho?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢s plan calls for collaboration between the state, local economic development groups and the College of Southern Idaho, which is nationally recognized for quality training programs in computer-aided manufacturing and design, robotics and other skilled trades. They will work with the federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and labor apprenticeship programs in creating a training regimen for all workers, including those with limited English proficiency.

?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?Ö‚ÄúThe College of Southern Idaho is perfectly positioned to provide the kind of training that will keep Idaho?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢s work force at the forefront of the technology of the new economy,?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢?ɬ¢?¢‚Äö¬¨?¢‚Äû¬¢ College President Gerald Beck said.

The grant is effect July 1 and encompasses Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

–end–

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