Newsroom

Construction training programs get an industry boost

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center construction students pose with tools donated to the Workforce Training Center by the National Center for Construction and Education Research and DeWalt.

The North Idaho College Workforce Training Center just got a power-up from an industry leader in construction workforce education.

The National Center for Construction and Education Research granted the NIC Workforce Training Center NCCER Training Sponsor status in October 2023, and recently, NCCER partnered with DeWalt and donated a package of tools to the Workforce Training Center.

“Your work educating the next generation of craft professionals stood out because of your strong community connections and partnership,” said an email from NCCER announcing the gift. “Thank you for the great work you are doing to get students excited about the construction industry and help them build strong futures for themselves and their communities.”

The process for the NIC Workforce Training Center to become an official NCCER Training Sponsor for the region included a stringent audit of the center’s Construction and Heavy Equipment programs, said Customized Training and Project Manager Colleen Hoffman.

Hoffman said affiliation with NCCER ensures the integrity of the Workforce Training Center’s federally registered programs for training construction and heavy equipment apprentices.

“Our students have the opportunity to participate in high-quality apprenticeship training programs and earn credentials that are recognized by industry nationwide,” Hoffman said.

To earn these portable credentials, students must successfully complete standardized competency-based training that includes knowledge and skills assessments developed and vetted by industry experts.

“The great thing is students can earn while they learn and have credentials to back them up,” Hoffman said. “In addition to being industry-recognized, these credentials are verifiable online for employers who are looking to hire qualified individuals.”

Local high school students will also benefit from the NIC Workforce Training Center’s relationship with NCCER because as an official training sponsor for the region, the Workforce Training Center oversees training units, including programs at KTEC, the Kootenai Technical Education Campus for public high school students.

“The NCCER credentials are part of our KTEC high school track, which leads into the Workforce Training Center’s construction apprenticeship or construction management programs, giving high school graduates a clear pathway to a career,” Hoffman said.

For more information about North Idaho College Workforce Training Center programs, visit nic.edu/wtc or call (208) 769-3333.