SANDPOINT — In 1937, during the era of the Great Depression, employers were in need of workers with specific qualifications.

For that reason, apprenticeships were implemented into the workforce. Eighty years later, apprenticeship programs still exist and are still a benefit to many employers who are looking for a specific skill set.

"There are more than 1,000 different occupations that are apprenticeable occupations through the U.S. Department of Labor, and every day it continues to grow," said John Russ, regional manager for the Idaho Department of Labor in the Meridian area. 

Russ was in Sandpoint, along with Ricia Lasso, IDL North Idaho regional business specialist, to talk about Apprenticeship Idaho, a Registered Apprenticeship program administered through the Idaho Department of Labor.

Registered Apprenticeship is a national and state program with more than 29,000 apprenticeship programs providing education and training to more than 500,000 apprentices. Registered Apprenticeship operates in cooperation with state agencies, employers and educational institutions. In Idaho, more than 250 employers, associations and labor unions have implemented apprenticeship programs.

Sandpoint High School hosted the presentation by Russ on Wednesday because, in coordination with Nayla Morton's career pathways class, students have an opportunity to join the Youth Registered Apprenticeship program.

"What Sandpoint High School wants to do is get more of these registered apprenticeships so we can send students out and then hopefully retain them, keep them here," Morton said.

SHS Counselor Jeralyn Mire said when she learned about the program, she wanted to extend the knowledge to more local businesses in the community as well. For that reason, a few local employers attended the presentation to learn more about implementing apprenticeships into their businesses.

Russ said the fastest growing apprenticeable occupations right now are in the technology sector. However, IDL specialists are trying to get more Idaho businesses from all sectors involved with apprenticeships.

A Registered Apprenticeship is a standard that is set by the company with the help of education and on the job training, Russ said. Some people, he said, see the program as a threat to continued education.

"A Registered Apprenticeship is not taking anything away from continued education," Russ said. "If anything, it is enhancing that push toward continued education, because we want our youth, our young adults, we want our working people to continue that education."

In the youth program, students are hired as an apprentice while they are still in high school.

One local business already in the program is Idaho Forest Group.

"We recognized a need to get a pipeline going for our skilled trades, specifically our maintenance mechanic or millwright program," said Brian Riley, IFG manager. "There wasn't a lot options out there other than North Idaho College ... There wasn't a lot of available, trained students coming out that could even step in at an entry level role for us."

Riley said the first apprentice they received from SHS was a senior in high school, and is now attending North Idaho College while working full time at IFG. Their most recent apprentice is still a senior at SHS.

"All in all, it's working out well for us," Riley said.

The average retention rate for employees through the program is 91 percent, Russ said. A recent study shows that for every $1 invested in an apprentice, employers can expect $1.47 in return.

"We are not in the habit of telling you it's the best investment in the world, but I think it's the best investment in the world," Russ said.

There is a team set up statewide to help employers implement a Registered Apprenticeship program, Russ said, and the team will do "most of the leg work."

Local businesses interested in the program should contact Lasso at 208-457-8789 ext. 3992.

Information: apprenticeshipidaho.com

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.