INL looking to bridge the gap with North Idaho

The technology sector is a land of opportunity for Idahoans. With the right education, training and experience, anything is possible.

That’s why I was so excited to hear about the upcoming Inspire Idaho 20-city “Experience Tour,” and it all starts right here in Coeur d’Alene.

From March 27-29, in cities across the state, five teams will teach attendees the fundamentals of app development, and how they can write code. For more information, go to www.inspireidaho.com.

The idea is to break down barriers between regular folks and the often-intimidating worlds of education and technology. The message is clear: You can do this; here’s how.

Idaho National Laboratory is a proud partner in this effort. INL technology-based economic development and STEM grants provided seed money for the digital learning library of the initial “Inspire Idaho” program in Coeur d’Alene, and the Apple Swift training that will be used on the tour.

A shared vision is at work here. The University of Idaho, Coeur d’Alene Innovation Collective and INL want Idahoans to understand that opportunities are abundant, and our citizens can take advantage of them.

At INL, for example, 30 percent of our workforce is at least 50 years of age and approaching retirement. Many tech-based companies find themselves in the same position. That means INL — and others — are staring down a potential workforce shortage.

And though INL is the nation’s lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory, our areas of expertise — and opportunity — have expanded greatly in recent years.

INL is a world leader in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, keeping our dams, bridges and power grids safe from man-made and natural threats.

Our scientists and engineers are a diverse, creative group. They develop tank armor that protects U.S. troops serving in harm’s way, technology that powers NASA spacecraft or helps farmers convert waste into usable energy, and conduct the research that extends the lives of electric vehicle batteries and allows communities to develop charging station infrastructure.

But the next-generation energy workforce won’t consist only of scientists and engineers. These important tasks require support staff and mechanics, skilled folks who maintain equipment and repair it when it breaks, and often need only a two-year diploma or certificate.

For this reason, our partnerships — with our colleges and universities, community colleges, economic development groups, and industry — are important.

That’s also why the laboratory is reaching out to North Idaho. We have workforce needs, and a desire to make sure all Idahoans know about the amazing opportunities at INL and throughout the tech sector. We want them to have access to the necessary training and education, and if they are in business, know how they can contract with us to serve our growing list of needs.

It’s important that we make the effort to partner with folks such as the founder of the Coeur d’Alene Innovation Collective, Nick Smoot, along with Dr. Charles Buck, who heads up the University of Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Center, and Gynii Gilliam, president of the Coeur d’Alene Area EDC-Jobs Plus.

All of us share a goal of ensuring that people in traditionally underserved communities receive access to opportunity, and in the case of the 20-city tour, the ability to develop apps and write code.

We want them to know that a STEM education can lead to great things, including an INL internship. Every year, the laboratory brings in hundreds of college and postgraduate students for invaluable experience and training. Also, every year we contract about $140 million to Idaho businesses. Our website (www.inl.gov) is a good source of information to learn about these opportunities.

Having grown up in Orofino and been educated at the University of Idaho, I understand firsthand how far North Idaho is from INL. With today’s technology, however, including the Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON), it is easier to digitally connect the lab and the universities, particularly as we share big data on important research.

It’s my sincere hope, however, that partnerships, today and into the future, can bridge that gap. INL is Idaho’s national laboratory. There’s too much to do — and too much opportunity — for distance to separate us.

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Amy Lientz is director of the Partnerships, Engagement and Technology Deployment for Idaho National Laboratory. She will be the keynote speaker at the Coeur d’ Alene Economic Development Corporation’s 2018 Annual Members Meeting on April 4.