New technology program launches in southeastern Idaho
It may sound like an exercise program, but it’s not.
A new Your Fit program launched Thursday at Idaho State University in Pocatello: Your Future in Technology.
Your Future in Technology (FIT) is a partnership between Bannock County, ISU and the Idaho National Laboratory. The goal is to get more students to study technical degrees.
Currently there are not enough technology workers in Idaho. This includes fields like welding, engineering, IT systems and nuclear operations.
A recent survey of Eastern Idaho high schools found 96 percent of students either had little or no information about technical degrees.
“We’ve quickly realized that one of the biggest challenges facing INL is what they call talent pool,” said Rick Phillips, FIT chairman.
INL isn’t the only company with a shortage of tech workers. Other companies like Simplot, Monsanto and Premier Tech are always looking for qualified workers to keep their business going.
“Having qualified technicians, welders, machinists, all sorts of skilled crafts, really is the basis of our business,” said Derek Moss, Premier Tech business management.
There’s such a high demand that students last May had a 100 percent job placement rate after graduation, and they didn’t have to search.
“We have companies that come from our region, across the state, and even across the nation to hire these graduates because they can’t find enough of them to go to work,” said Scott Rasumussen, dean of ISU Technology College.
“The job market is actually coming and asking us for the students,” said Evan Smith, a mechanical engineering professor at ISU. “They really have a real demand on the students who can actually do the skills that we’re providing.”
“If you want to get into the industry, like with INL or On Semiconductor, this would definitely be a great program because they come in a lot and recruit people,” said Charles Gougar, an ISU engineering student.
These technical programs are two-year degrees. The average salary range for technical jobs is between $35,000 and $67,000 per year.
One of the goals with this new program is to go to local high schools and educate students about the opportunities with these degrees.
A list of what high schools they’ll be visiting, and on what days, can be found below. Each expo starts at 5:30 p.m.
American Falls High School – Feb. 24
Aberdeen High School – March 2
Preston High School – March 9
Bear Lake High School – March 16
Soda Springs High School – April 13
Malad High School – April 20
Highland High School – April 27
