Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce
Our work puts Idahoans on a path to prosperity by getting them into in-demand careers. We connect partners across the state to ensure all regions have access to high-quality career training and education. These efforts ensure Idaho’s employers have the highly educated, skilled talent they need to thrive, today and into the future.
Our Mission
We champion strategies that prepare Idahoans for careers that meet employers’ needs.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Idaho’s diverse and prepared workforce meets the needs of our unique communities and employers.
Strategic Goals
Awareness
Increasing the public awareness of and access to career education and training opportunities.
Quality
Improving the effectiveness, quality, and coordination of programs and services designed to maintain a highly skilled workforce.
Efficiency
Providing for the most efficient use of federal, state, and local workforce development resources.
Our History
Established by the Office of the Governor in 2017, the Idaho Workforce Development Council is here to make sure Idaho works. For career seekers, we bring cohesion between more than a dozen partners who support career development and training opportunities. We leverage our expertise, funding, and collaborative leadership to reduce employment barriers and better connect Idahoans to in-demand jobs. Together with Idaho’s government agencies, nonprofits and private businesses, we are building a future where every Idahoan is prepared for the best career possible.
Our work is all about creating opportunity and prosperity. For Idaho’s employers, it’s the promise that they will grow, thrive, and remain vital well into the future because they have the workforce they need to get business done right. For the people who proudly call Idaho home, it’s a promise that every Idahoan will have a rewarding career—one that provides stability, prosperity, dignity, and a sense of pride.
Committees
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Council is comprised of the Council Chairperson, the Vice Chair, and three additional members. The Executive Committee’s responsibility is to set the direction and strategy for the Council, coordinate the work of the Council’s Committees, and serve as a conduit to employers. The Executive Committee may be convened to take action on behalf of the entire Council on matters that require expeditious action.
Committee Members
- Deni Hoehne – Chair, WinCo Foods
- John Young – Vice Chair, Young Construction
- Joe Maloney – Idaho State AFL-CIO
- Kelly Kolb – Vista Outdoor
- Sarah Griffin – Idaho Power
- Scott Bedke – Idaho Lieutenant Governor
Child Care Expansion Grant Committee
The Child Care Expansion Grant Committee is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations to the Council for the Child Care Expansion Grant Policy, and to review Child Care Expansion Grant applications.
Committee Members:
- Sarah Griffin – Chair, Idaho Power
- Emily Allen – Idaho Voices for Children
- Martin Balben – Association for the Education of Young Children
- Anna Almerico – Idaho Out-of-School Network
- Ben Davidson – Idaho Central Credit Union
- Caroline Merritt – Chamber Alliance
- Renee Bade – Serve Idaho
- Lori McCann – Idaho House of Representatives
CNA Advisory Committee
CNA Advisory Committee co-chaired by Idaho Health & Welfare (IDHW) and Idaho Career Technical Education, is tasked with recommending a statutory framework for the governance of nursing assistants in Idaho.
Committee Members:
- Zendi Meharry – Cascadia Healthcare
- Jeff Pittard – Life Care Centers of America
- Jeff Greene – Trinity Health
- Leslie Wilson – Mountain View Hospital
- Robert Vander Merwe – Idaho Health Care Association
- Randy Hudspeth – Idaho Center for Nursing
- Nicki Chopski – Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
- Laura Thompson – Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
- RaeLyn Price – Idaho State University
- Stephanie Mai – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- David Lent – Idaho State Senator
- Teresa Stanfill – Nurse Leaders
- Karen Leach – Idaho Hospital Association
Grant Review Committee
The Grant Review Committee is responsible for reviewing grant proposals and recommending expenditures from the Workforce Development Training Fund.
Committee Members:
- Kelly Kolb – Chair, Vista Outdoors
- Jay Larsen – Idaho Technology Council
- Jeff Greene – Trinity Health
- Joe Maloney – Idaho AFL-CIO
- Jake Reynolds – Idaho Commerce
- Rico Barrera – Idaho Department of Labor
- Adrian San Miguel – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Amanda Logan – Ball Ventures
- Sergio Mendoza – The Liquidation Center
One-Stop Committee
The One-Stop Committee ensures the Council fulfills the requirements of a State Workforce Investment Board as set forth in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act – with an emphasis on continuous improvement, alignment, and coordination. The Committee will draft policies as needed and coordinate procurement activities for the one-stop system.
Committee Members:
- TBD – Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- TBD – Idaho Division of Human Resources
- Terry Butikofer – Altura Community Consulting & Business Finance
- Beth Cunningham – Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired
- Korene Gonzalez – Community Council of Idaho
- David Shakespear – Centennial Job Corps Center
- Korey Mereness – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Kristyn Carr – Idaho Department of Labor
- Amelia Valasek – Idaho Commission for Libraries
- Kristin Matthews – Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Brandi Waselewski – Idaho Commission on Aging
Outreach Committee
The Council is responsible for “increasing public awareness of and access to career education and training opportunities.” The Outreach Committee drives the coordination across state agencies, education, and the private sector to meet this objective.
Committee Members:
- John Young – Chair, Young Construction
- Donna Butler – Dawn Enterprises
- Georgia Smith – Idaho Department of Labor
- Janelle Culley – University of Idaho TRIO
- Jeff Tucker – Idaho Public Television
- Linda Clark – State Board of Education
- Megan O’Rourke – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Anna Almerico – Idaho Out-of-School Network
- Allison Duman – Idaho State Department of Education
- Bill Reagan – Coeur d’Alene Resort
Work-Based Learning Committee
The Work-Based Learning Committee will lead the development of replicable and sustainable work-based learning opportunities. The committee serves in advisory capacity to the Apprenticeship Idaho team.
Committee Members:
- Marie Price – Chair, Idaho Forrest Group
- Sean Kelly – Dennis Technical Center
- Gina Robison – Idaho Department of Labor
- Elizabeth Hoeper – Boise State University
- Vicki Isakson – North Idaho College
- Ryan Gravette – Idaho Digital Learning Alliance
- John Russ – College of Western Idaho
- James Smith – Idaho Falls Power
- Paula Kellerer – Idaho Business for Education
- Sean Coletti – City of Ammon
- Nate Dean – Idaho STEM Action Center
- Jerry Anhorn – Idaho State University
- Jeff Hough – Bannock County Commissioner
- Chet Andes – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Stephanie Pfeifer – Nightforce Optics
Workforce Development Policy Committee
The Workforce Development Policy Committee is responsible for developing and overseeing procedures, criteria, and performance measures for the Workforce Development Training Fund, in addition to any other programs under the Council’s authority. The Committee will also develop an annual projection of needs for state investment into workforce development activities.
Committee Members:
- Hope Morrow – Chair, Idaho National Lab
- Jason Hudson, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77
- Christi Gilchrist – College of Western Idaho
- John Smith – City of Lewiston
- Jani Revier – Idaho Department of Labor
- Tom Kealey – Idaho Commerce
- Tom Shultz – Idaho Forest Group
- Clay Long – Idaho Career & Technical Education
- Lori Barber – College of Eastern Idaho
- Dan Puga – In Time Tee
- Scott Bedke – Idaho Lieutenant Governor
WIOA Service Provider Selection Policy Committee (RETIRED)
The Workforce Development Council is responsible for the selection of providers to provide workforce investment activities.
The Committee is being tasked with creating a policy document that accomplishes 4 things:
1. Goals
2. Procurement Options
3. Method of Contract
4. Remedy for Breach of Contract/Non-performance
Committee Members
- BJ Swanson, Co-Chair, Latah County
- Jane Donnellan, Co-Chair, Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Dwight Johnson, Idaho Career Technical Education
- Jan Nielsen, Basic American Foods
- Heather Sprague, Saint Alphonsus
- Steve Widmyer, City of Coeur d’Alene
TPM Project Management Selection (RETIRED)
The TPM Project Management Selection Committee was established to select an entity in each of the 6 regions of Idaho to facilitate efforts to align industry/employer needs to specific training that is offered through Idaho Launch and/or other grants. The Committee will review all TPM Project Management applications and provide a recommendation to the Executive Committee on selections.
Committee Members:
- John Young, Chair, Young Construction
- Matthew Thomsen, Idaho Workforce Development Council
- Jake Reynolds, Idaho Commerce
- Alex LaBeau, IACI
- Clay Long, Idaho Career Technical Education