Biz Buzz: CEI wants better workforce, students prep for competition and more
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Do you want to know what’s happening on the east Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.
Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
NEWS
IDAHO FALLS
Want to learn a new skill? CEI can help you
IDAHO FALLS – Hundreds of people have taken advantage of the Workforce Training and Community Education program over the years.
The program existed at Eastern Idaho Technical College for many years, and has now been expanded at the College of Eastern Idaho.
But many people are still unfamiliar with it.
Program manager Michelle Holt stopped by the EastIdahoNews.com studio last week to tell us about this program and how it works.
“Workforce Training and Community Education encompasses the non-credit programs at CEI,” Holt says.
These courses, Holt says, do not contribute towards a degree or professional/technical certificate. She says the goal of the program is to lead people towards better employment.
“There’s a lot of talk in the workforce arena now about competency based training. It’s less about having a degree and more about having the right skills to do the job.”
The Workforce training portion of the program offers actual career-inducing courses like EMT or CNA training, OSHA compliance or HVAC training. There are also courses focused on teaching you a new skill like sign language or art.
One course, in particular, helps aspiring authors turn their book idea into a reality.
In addition, the college also offers contract training that helps individual companies bridge the skills gaps in their workforce. This is training that can be adapted and catered to the needs of each individual company.
“At CEI, we are less interested in who you are and more concerned with who you want to become,” CEI President Rick Aman said in their catalog. “We are committed to partnering with you as a student to help you succeed in any educational path you choose.”
Workforce Training and Community Education courses are available to anyone. Holt says the classes are designed to be affordable and not consume all your time. If you’d like to learn more about the classes they offer, click here.
REXBURG
BYU-Idaho to host 2018 National Geographic State Bee
REXBURG – Kids from all across the state are gearing up for the Idaho state finals of the 2018 National Geographic Bee.
Brigham Young University-Idaho is hosting the competition for the sixth year. The Bee is for kids in fourth through eighth grade. The BYU-Idaho event will bring the winners from schools all over Idaho together for a day of competition.
Michael Madsen, who is the bee coordinator, says this event is something he looks forward to every year.
“It’s really fun to see families travel to this part of the state. Many of them have never been here,” Madsen tells EastIdahoNews.com. “It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy it.”
The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography, according to a news release about the event.
Madsen teaches Geography at BYU-Idaho. He feels the geography bee is important because geography is a neglected subject in schools.
“There’s so much emphasis on other subjects. Math and science are hit really hard, and that’s important. But being geographically literate, having an awareness of the world and what’s going on in it is (also) important,” Madsen says.
The National Geographic Bee begins at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6 in the Manwaring Center Ballroom. The community is invited to attend the final round of the bee at 1:30 p.m. The event is free.
“It’s very exciting, very dramatic. People always leave very impressed with how smart these kids are,” says Madsen.
The winner of the Idaho State Bee will move on to the national finals in Washington D.C. held in May. The winner of the national finals will win a $50,000 college scholarship.
Last year’s state champion was Nicholas Monahan from Payette Lakes Middle School in McCall.
POCATELLO
Zoo Idaho opening for 2018 season this weekend
The following is a news release from the city of Pocatello.
The gates open for Zoo Idaho’s 2018 season on March 31.
The new year will bring a new look for several of the zoo’s features and animal exhibits. The zoo’s bison, elk, and pronghorn all call new exhibits home.
“As we work on new exhibits, our goal is to give guests a complete wild Idaho experience,” said Peter Pruett, Zoo Idaho Superintendent. “The exhibits take advantage of our unique landscape and offer up close animal experiences. We’re focused on increasing comfortable, shaded rest areas, improving pathways, and offering more amenities that will enhance your visit to Zoo Idaho.”
General admission to the zoo is free for ages 0 to 2, $3.75 for ages 3 to 11, $5.75 for ages 12 to 59, and $4.50 for ages 60 and up.
ISU Credit Union receives distinguished industry awards
The following is a news release from ISU Credit Union.
POCATELLO – ISU Credit Union was recently honored with 3 Diamond Awards, including two Category’s Best, which recognize outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry.
The award was presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of over 1,300 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Awards are given in each of 35 categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond.
“The financial services industry is a very competitive space,” said ISU Credit Union Marketing Manager BJ Fillingame. “As marketers, it’s our job to embrace the organizations mission/vision and carve out our niche in the market. It’s all about telling a great story and we have an amazing one. My team and I are extremely honored that CUNA recognizes the marketing and business development efforts we are delivering to our members.”
BLACKFOOT
Idaho Gubernatorial candidates address eastern Idaho economic development issues at forum
BLACKFOOT — Candidates on both sides of the ticket vying for Idaho’s governorship agree that Idaho public education should put more emphasis on career-technical programs to close the gap between the classroom and jobs.
Four gubernatorial candidates fielded questions from a panel of Idaho business and economic development leaders in Blackfoot on Thursday night. Most of the conversation centered on the economy, but all the candidates connected the success of Idaho’s economy to education.
“Digital delivery” of more college courses would help Idaho “pick up the slack” in education and jobs, said Lt. Gov. Brad Little, a GOP candidate for governor.
Little’s opponent Tommy Ahlquist echoed the career-technical refrain and stressed getting broadband to all Idaho schools.
“We gotta have it if we want to keep up,” Ahlquist said.
The two Democratic candidates mentioned similar needs, but criticized what they see as a lack of inclusion for Idaho’s rural students and minorities.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
IDAHO FALLS
The Little Gym promises a unique experience for kids
IDAHO FALLS – They say laughter is the best medicine. And laughter is what kids enjoy most.
The Little Gym of Idaho Falls offers children a place to laugh and have fun while participating in physical, social and emotional activity.
“We’re very serious about the fun we have,” Little Gym Owner Tori Cain tells EastIdahoNews.com.
The business model is new to eastern Idaho, but The Little Gym is a 40-year-old franchise with 300 locations around the globe.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
New exhibit on famous eastern Idahoans to open Friday
Off-the-wall massive ART sale to be held this weekend
Bingham Memorial Hospital announces Independence Day fireworks show
Idaho gas prices jump 16 cents in one week, no sign of slowing down