POST FALLS - Idaho Career Connect needs just 15 more employers on board to get off the ground.

The pilot project, being launched by the Idaho Department of Labor's office in Post Falls, will connect employers with students with the goal of keeping students in state.

The local office has set a deadline of Wednesday to reach 100 employers to make the system available - just in time for the start of school.

"They're almost at their goal of turning it on for schools," said Christie Stoll, Labor's career information system (CIS) administrator. "It's taken a lot of legwork to get it off the ground."

Any North Idaho employer can be a part of the system for free. The employer enters the occupations it offers, not job listings, at http://idahocareerconnect.org/Login/login.asp.

Businesses can also describe their operations, discuss the skills and education they want in employees and what employees can expect in return and provide direct Internet links to their websites.

It takes about 10 minutes to complete a profile.

"It's a win-win," Stoll said. "Employers will hopefully have a better connection to schools and vice-versa. It's free advertising."

The system will educate students about what occupations are available at the companies.

"Idaho Career Connect gives employers a chance to put the spotlight on their businesses that can give them an edge in attracting the best and brightest talents Idaho has to offer," said Ricia Lasso, Labor's regional business specialist.

The profiles will be available to more than 120,000 high school students, more than 80,000 college and other post-secondary students and tens of thousands of job seekers.

Business professionals will have the opportunity not only to be guest speakers before student groups, but also to participate in career fairs, provide company tours, mentor student interns and host job shadows.

Stoll said if the project is successful, it will be used in other parts of the state. The project was started with an $11,000 Workforce Innovation and Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Labor department is paying $4,000 a year for the program.

"We really believe it's important for the workforce and education to work together," Stoll said.

For more information about the project, contact Lasso at 457-8789, ext. 3992, or Ricia.Lasso@labor.idaho.gov.