Business, industry sought for 'Roadshow'

Mary Malone Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 6 months AGO

(Daily Bee file photo/MARY MALONE) Plastic welding, as pictured in this 2017 photo, is one of the many hands-on experiences for local high school students during the North Idaho College Career-Technical Education Roadshow at Sandpoint High School each year. The local event organizer is seeking more businesses and industries for the October 2019 roadshow to make it the largest event yet.

SANDPOINT — The North Idaho College Roadshow is heading into its fourth year of giving local students hands-on experience at Sandpoint High School.

The roadshow, focused on career-technical education, gives Bonner County high school students hands-on experience in a number of areas, such as diesel mechanics, aerospace technology, carpentry and construction, computer-aided design and more.

“I can’t help but think that making the roadshow a bigger event could really impact students and the community positively,” Malia Meschko, event organizer and computer-aided design instructor at SHS, said in an email to the Daily Bee.

As planning for the roadshow — which is held in October — is already underway, Meschko said she is looking to add as many businesses and industries as possible to make it the largest event yet.

The roadshow circulates through different schools in the region, she said, and NIC has been “especially pleased” with the response of the event at SHS.

More than 50 programs have been represented at the event, showcasing industry training that lasts six months to two years in a variety of work environments.

More and more emphasis is being placed on career-technical education, which provides students with hands-on skills to better prepare them for future careers. As students learn more about these CTE programs, the more aware they are of the options out there.

“There is a shortage of skilled workers in our area that is predicted to grow,” Meschko said.

NIC representatives travel to regional schools each year to introduce the different CTE programs available at the college. While the local roadshow is held at SHS, last year it was attended by students from Sandpoint, Priest River and Clark Fork high schools, as well as Sandpoint Middle School.

Anyone looking to get the word out about their industry or business, and would like to share the information with local students, is encouraged to contact Meschko via email at malia.meschko@lposd.org to learn more about participating in the NIC Roadshow in October.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.