Nampa, Idaho, Companies Partner With Schools to Foster Local Talent

AMAZON

When education and industry join forces, communities thrive — and the Nampa, Idaho, region proves that. Major employers are driving economic growth while investing in the region’s future workforce through groundbreaking partnerships with local schools and colleges. 

From Amazon teaming up with the College of Western Idaho to offer career-boosting educational opportunities to the Nampa School District’s collaboration with innovative companies, strategic alliances are creating pipelines of talent to ensure the region’s continued prosperity. 

Continuing Education Strengthens Workforce

Located less than a mile from Amazon’s Nampa fulfillment center, the Nampa campus of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers workers more than 100 different programs that will allow them to sharpen their skills and, ultimately, grow their careers. The global company’s Amazon Career Choice program provides its workforce with vouchers that can be used to pay for college classes. CWI’s flexible course schedule — both in-person and online — and proximity to the fulfillment center means students can work while they pursue an education. The college’s affordability means voucher dollars go further than at other higher education institutions. Over 600 schools are a part of the workforce program. 

“Serving more than 30,000 students a year, CWI delivers affordable, high-quality educational opportunities leading to employment. We offer in-demand career training in various fields, including health care, cybersecurity and the trades,” says Ashley Smith, government and community relations director at the College of Western Idaho. “As businesses continue to grow in the Treasure Valley, CWI stands out as a critical partner to implement essential training and educational initiatives to prepare students to thrive in the workforce.” 

Training Programs Prepare Students for Jobs in Nampa

The college also partners with companies such as Saint Alphonsus Medical Center and Micron Technology to design training programs tailored to those employers’ current and future workforce needs. 

For example, CWI’s advanced mechatronics program offers students a great launchpad to a career in the semiconductor field. Micron works hand-in-hand with college instructors to develop a curriculum and sponsors an apprenticeship program for students, ensuring students learn the skills needed to flourish. 

“As Micron continues to grow, these skilled individuals will be instrumental in driving the success of the company’s cutting-edge memory manufacturing fab,” Smith says. 

The Nampa School District’s Idaho Center for Advanced Technology (ICAT) also plays a major role in the region’s workforce development efforts by offering career and technical education (CTE) programs in some 28 high-demand fields, from welding and culinary arts to health care, manufacturing and IT. These programs are integrated into the district’s high schools, allowing students to move between campuses to access specialized courses. 

Many classes offer dual enrollment opportunities, giving students a head start on college credits. Certifications in areas, such as certified nursing assistant, help students launch a successful career right out of high school. 

“Students enrolled in our health care programs are required to complete internships or earn work-based training hours,” says Cindy Arnzen, CTE director for the Nampa School District. “Most of our programs have internships built into coursework. We try to provide that industry experience either during class time or when they go out into the business community.” 

IGNITE Job Shadowing Program Provides Real-World Education 

Arnzen says another way the district partners with businesses to introduce students to local, in-demand career paths is through the Nampa IGNITE job shadowing program. The district works with companies like Autovol, a modular construction company that uses robotics and automation to build affordable housing, to give students three hours of real-world experience at a business that aligns with their chosen career path. 

“My goal is to get these kids out into industry through these field trips so they can see what it’s like to be, say, a welder — and to see there are many different avenues they can take in that field,” Arnzen says. “The businesses love it. A lot of businesses weren’t aware that we have all these CTE programs and that we are preparing students with industry certifications. The equipment that we have in our classes is the same equipment that they have at their businesses. It’s a win-win.”