BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — More students hoping to train at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center will now be able to take classes in Sandpoint.
The North Idaho Workforce Training Center is expanding to Sandpoint to better serve the region’s workforce.
With Idaho currently facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, the training center will begin its expansion with courses primarily in healthcare and related fields.
“We are all short-term trainings, certifications and licensure programs, so coming out of our programs, you’re ready to go to work. They’re short term, they’re not four years, they’re not two years, and usually it could be up to a semester, but they’re mostly seven to eight weeks, and you’re ready to go,” said Colby Mattila, Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development at NIC.
A few courses, such as Certified Nursing Assistant training, was already offered at NIC’s Sandpoint location. Now, the following are also offered:
Basic Life Support – CPR ProviderHeartsaver CPR and AEDShotgun Armorer 101Assistance with MedicationsMedical Assistance ApprenticeshipPhlebotomy TechnicianPhlebotomy for Health Care ProfessionalsIV Therapy for Healthcare ProvidersCNA- Nursing Assistance TrainingBoiler: Steam Training Certification Flagger CertificationEMT (Offered in Sagle)
Healthcare shortages typically affect rural areas more than they does others, so Bonner General health officials believe this expansion can be beneficial to the local community.
“On the 2024 nursing workforce statistics, it says that over the next ten years, we’re down 18% each year in demand, and that’s for nurses. But that translates across the board to every position. If we need more nurses, we need more phlebotomists. We need more CNAs,” said Andrew Chapin, Acute Care Manager at Bonner General Health.
The hospital is hopeful it can fill in the gaps with new students who complete some of their training with NIC at the Bonner General.
“It helps get their feet wet and see what our hospital does. It kind of provides a seamless transition over into a job,” said Chapin.
Registration for courses that begin later in January are now open and prices vary.
According to NIC, 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.
For more information on these programs, payment options like LAUNCH and to register, visit www.nic.edu.
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