NIC Workforce Training expands to Sandpoint

The North Idaho College Workforce Training Center is bringing training programs closer to home for residents of Bonner and Boundary counties.

The Post Falls center is expanding its workforce training offerings at the NIC Sandpoint Center to provide greater access to career-building opportunities for those living in Idaho’s northernmost counties. This initiative supports individuals seeking new careers, professionals looking to advance their careers through new skills training and employers seeking training for their workforce.

“Our goal is to meet students where they are and help them succeed,” said Colby Mattila, North Idaho College executive director of Workforce and Economic Development. “This expansion allows us to better serve the region’s workforce by connecting more Bonner and Boundary County community members with in-demand skills training and businesses with opportunities to improve their productivity through employee training we provide.”

Unlike North Idaho College’s academic offerings, NIC Workforce Training courses are non-credit and generally lead to certification or licensure while providing quicker entry into a career in the student’s chosen industry. Classes are open to the public, typically without pre-admission, academic or residential requirements.

“These programs focus on equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to meet the needs of today’s job market,” Mattila said. “By offering targeted training in specific industries, workforce training helps community members access new career opportunities, earn higher wages and fill critical workforce gaps.”

The workforce training courses offered at the NIC Sandpoint Center will eventually cover a range of industries, but to meet industry demand, initial offerings are primarily related to health careers.

“North Idaho is experiencing a significant shortage of health care professionals, including certified nursing assistants and medical assistants, which is impacting the region's ability to meet health care demands,” said NIC Workforce Training Health Careers Program Manager Marty Matney.

A report released in 2023 by the Idaho State Legislature’s Office of Performance Evaluations found there is a substantial statewide shortage of direct health care workers, including CNAs. The report estimates Idaho is about 3,000 health care workers, or 13%, short of national staffing levels, and the shortage is worse in North Idaho.

At the same time, a growing elderly population in North Idaho is driving demand for medical assistants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 24% increase in medical assistant jobs in Idaho by 2026. In Kootenai County alone, the number of residents aged 65 and older is expected to rise by 24,000 by 2026.

Despite the high demand, there is a notable shortage of medical assistants to fill existing job openings.

“We cannot train CNAs and MAs fast enough to meet the need for skilled professionals to fill jobs in our local health care industry,” Matney said.

Health careers courses now being offered at the NIC Sandpoint Center include training for CNAs; Assistance with Medications; Medical Assistant Apprenticeship; Phlebotomy Technician; Basic Life Support – CPR Provider; Heartsaver, CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator); IV Therapy for Healthcare Providers; and Phlebotomy for Healthcare Professionals.

In addition to health care training available in Sandpoint, NIC Workforce Training is offering a shotgun armorer course and a boiler/steam training certification course.

Plans are also underway to begin offering NIC Workforce Training’s Commercial Driver’s License course in Sandpoint. The CDL program prepares students for careers in transportation, another industry experiencing high demand in North Idaho.

To expand the CDL program to Bonner County, the NIC Workforce Training Center must secure an appropriate training location. To allow for students to practice backing and shifting drills, the center is seeking a parking lot that is 80 yards long by 20 yards wide.

“The CDL program is a game-changer for individuals seeking stable, high-demand careers,” said Ethan Patzer, who manages the NIC Workforce Training Center’s CDL program. “Expanding this program to Sandpoint will allow us to better support the local workforce and meet the growing need for skilled drivers across North Idaho.”

The NIC Sandpoint Center continues to offer other NIC services including enrollment services, test proctoring, academic and dual credit advising, adult education and some college credit classes.

Many of the workforce training courses offered in Sandpoint qualify for funding through Idaho LAUNCH, which provides a maximum of $3,500 up to 80% of costs for approved classes.

Registration is now open for the center’s winter and spring workforce training courses. Many classes begin this month, which require registration as soon as possible.

To register or for information about all NIC Workforce Training Center programs, including the courses now being offered in Sandpoint and payment options including LAUNCH, visit nic.edu/wtc or call 208-769-3214.