PHOTO COURTESY OF IDAHO GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE
READY FOR TAKEOFF
Idaho LAUNCH program provides unprecedented career training support for Idaho high school graduates
BY JODIE NICOTRA
Idaho high school seniors now have an improved range of post-graduation options, thanks to a new state grant program called Idaho LAUNCH. By giving graduating high school seniors financial support for post-secondary career training, Idaho LAUNCH hopes to improve high school “go-on” rates—which measure how many graduating high school students continue with post-secondary education— and address Idaho’s skilled labor shortage. Idaho LAUNCH gives graduating seniors up to $8,000 of tuition and fees for a wide range of post-secondary education and training. The only stipulation is that the training must be connected to an “indemand career,” defined as any occupation with 50 or more job openings in a given year in Idaho.
“While state funding for postsecondary help isn’t abnormal, Idaho LAUNCH is charting new ground in prioritizing funding for in-demand careers,” said Matthew Reiber, policy advisor to Governor Brad Little. “The governor and legislature’s goal was to help students focus on good-paying jobs that will be able to support them and their families, right here in Idaho.” In-demand careers in Idaho are plentiful. The LAUNCH website lists over 240 possible careers, encompassing everything from actuaries and adhesive bonding machine operators to word processors and zoologists. Students can also apply for grants to support apprenticeships in skilled trades like plumbing, electrician work, and carpentry.
IMAGE COURTESY OF IDAHO.GOV
“LAUNCH provides help to students who traditionally wouldn’t have had help with their workforce training or degree,” said Reiber. “It also helps students who never would have considered going on because of the costs associated with getting additional education and training.”
www.idahomemagazine.com
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