Tech Annual - Idaho State University

WORKFORCE TRAINING
Workforce Training Receives
Susan Harwood Training Grant
The College of Technology Workforce
Training department is the recipient of a
$190,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant
from the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). This one-year
grant provides federal financial assistance
to expand the capacity of Idaho
State University to provide effective
occupational safety training and related
services to employers and workers in
Idaho through the creation of an Occupational
Safety Training Center.
The project began in October with
a focus on serving workers in small
manufacturing companies (those with
fewer than 250 employees) and workers
in hazardous occupations such as fire/
emergency services. A needs assessment
is being used to identify specific training
needs. Barriers to training posed by
the geography of the state, the steady
increase in new hires to work in small
manufacturing firms, the increase in the
number of non-English speaking workers,
and a lack of affordable and available
training for workers in hazardous
occupations will be addressed.
In addition to traditional face-to-
State of Idaho inservice day
electronics training for teachers.
In 2009, the Idaho State Department
of Education selected ISU’s College of
Technology Office of Workforce Training
to deliver Classrooms of the 21st
Century professional development. This
partnership is a major component of the
state’s plan to maximize the effect of the
Federal Title II-D Grant Program.
The Enhancing Education Through
Technology (EETT) sub-grant program
provides $50,000 to approximately 56
school districts throughout Idaho to
improve student learning through the integration
of technology in the classroom.
One-third of the award amount is used
for professional development.
As Idaho’s training provider of
face instruction, the project will utilize
distance learning technology—including
web-based training, and interactive
video instruction via the Idaho Education
Network (IEN)—to overcome barriers
to safety training. Virtually all educational
programs will be digitized and
archived in an accessible online library
for continued availability to employers
and workers.
Workforce Training is designated by
the State of Idaho to provide incumbent
Enhancing Education Through Technology
choice, the College of Technology Office
of Workforce Training wrote grants in
partnership with 43 school districts. All
were awarded. Workforce Training is
now working with these school districts
to enhance student performance through
the inclusion of technology.
Workforce Training offers a variety
of affordable technology integration
courses. The Workforce Training offerings,
initially in webinar format, are
both general integration and curriculum
specific choices. New selections appear
at approximately two week intervals.
“It is exciting and rewarding to work
with the K-12 system to enhance content
delivery with technology,” said Arlen
worker training. Workforce Training provides
short-term, non-credit training instruction
including customized training
programs (face-to-face and via distance
learning) for individuals in businesses,
schools, non-profit organizations, and
government agencies. Workforce Training
has developed and delivered quality
occupational health and safety training
programs in the past and sponsored
Idaho’s first Safety Fest in 2009, reaching
more than 1,000 workers.
Walker, Workforce Training educational
technology coordinator.
Sustainability of technology integration
is a major part of each EETT grant.
Research shows that student performance
improves the first year after the
introduction of technology for student/
teacher interaction. Research also shows
that improved performance is not maintained
beyond that first year without
regular infusions of “best practice” ideas
and fresh approaches for utilizing technology.
Workforce Training’s periodic
training in small “bites” is crucial to successful
creation and maintenance of 21st
century classrooms.
Center for New Directions
Taking Lead on Idaho Career
Pioneer Network Project
The ISU Center for New Directions,
in partnership with five other centers
located at Idaho technical colleges,
received grant funding totaling $113,958
from the State of Idaho. The ISU Center
for New Directions is taking the lead
on the project for the newly established
Idaho Career Pioneer Network.
The mission of the Idaho Career Pioneer
Network project is to identify best
practices throughout the state in recruitment,
retention and program completion
by women enrolled in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM)
programs and by men enrolled in health
programs.
Center for New Directions personnel
work to inspire individuals to explore
and pursue a full range of career options
by enhancing awareness and knowledge
of nontraditional careers; encouraging
participation through the implementation
of best practices in recruitment
and retention strategies; and effectively
removing barriers to success for women
and men of all ages.
Idaho is working to create a level
College Hires New Development Officer
Melisa Moon joined the College of
Technology team this past spring as the
Development Officer. Melisa brings with
her a long history at Idaho State University.
Prior to her new position at the College
of Technology, Melisa served as
a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the
Speech Department in 1996. For 10
years following, Melisa worked primarily
with new students at ISU in the
First Year Seminar and Early College
programs. She also served as an ISU
recruiter and academic advisor. In 2006
she began working for the ISU Foundation.
playing field where women and men
choose careers based on their passion
and strengths and where they are welcomed
and supported in all occupations.
Melisa is a native of Southeast Idaho.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree in
humanities from New College
of California in San
Francisco, then returned
to Idaho.
“I believe in educational
opportunities for all
those who would like to
obtain certification and/or degree. Securing
scholarship and funding support
makes a big difference in our students’
abilities to enter and obtain their educational
and career goals,” Moon said.
“I’m excited to meet and work with our
alumni and friends.”
OUTREACH
2010 Professional
Achievement Award
Delane Anderson, owner of Anderson’s
Body and Glass in American
Falls, was named the 2010 College of
Technology Professional Achievement
Award recipient.
Anderson earned an Auto Collision
Repair certificate in 1980 and since
then has earned a variety
of professional certificates
related to his
field and business. He
remains active with the
Idaho State University
College of Technology
and is on its advisory
board. He also provides various free
services to the auto collision repair
program and donates time as a Skills-
USA competition judge each year.
In 1985, after spending five years
working in collision repair and as
a service writer, Delane became the
owner and manager of Anderson’s
Body & Glass in American Falls. His
business was honored as the Business
of the Year by the American Falls
Chamber of Commerce in 2001. Anderson
was named to the Hall of Fame of
the American Falls Education Foundation
in 2000, received the Adult Duty
to God Award from the Boy Scouts
of America in 1999, and received the
Outstanding Community Service Award
from Power County in 1986.
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