Join, learn about Inspire Idaho tonight at Hayden Library

The future is at your fingertips, Kootenai County.

With Inspire Idaho, it can be in the palm of your hand.

"If you are interested in app development and if you are interested in learning a new skill and potentially changing career paths, come check it out and see," Inspire Idaho program manager Sheri Bullock said Tuesday. "Come meet us, ask questions and make your decision from there."

The University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene's Inspire Idaho program is a cooperative effort to get technology into the hands of more Idahoans as they learn how to navigate software, build apps and explore the world of coding, at no cost to the user.

Inspire Idaho is recruiting members for its 13th team during the pre-launch event tonight at the Hayden Library from 6:30 to 8.

Anyone interested in the free app development curriculum is invited to experiment with Apple's Swift programming, engage with representatives from Apple Inc. and register for the new Kootenai County team.

Last year, 207 people participated on nine teams in seven Idaho locations, including Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Lewiston, Plummer, Boise and Idaho Falls. Inspire Idaho has now partnered with the Community Library Network to reach people in even more communities across Kootenai County. The program has grown to 339 participants on 12 teams in 10 locations.

Bullock said they would love for the Kootenai County team to have at least 20 members.

"Bring a friend, bring a family member, whoever is interested," she said. "The more the merrier."

Inspire Idaho was created by the U of I Coeur d'Alene with partners invested in growing the regional tech economy. It launched in early 2018 and in October received the 2019 Award of Excellence from the University Economic Development Association, an organization that brings together higher education institutions, private sector businesses, nonprofits, government organizations and stakeholders to create economic opportunity.

While app creation is one goal for Inspire Idaho team members, Bullock said the program is a big opportunity for adults to expand their workforce development abilities, including critical thinking, problem-solving and computer skills.

"All of these will take you far in any career," she said.

It also doesn't matter the level of experience; learning the Swift program, Bullock said, is just like learning any language.

"The majority of learners don't have a programming background or app development background," she said. "Apple designed this program for anyone who is interested in learning to code, and most of our learners are novice."

The individualized curriculum is about 180 hours spread throughout about a year to 15 months, Bullock said. Team members meet about once a week or biweekly to brainstorm, troubleshoot and share their experiences.

"It's a great start with no risk," Bullock said. "You do it on your own time."

Internet is required only for the initial content download of the programming, but team members can always use the free Wi-Fi at the community libraries when needed.

U of I's Macbook Lending Library is also available for those who want to participate but don't have the proper equipment. Roughly 180 Inspire Idaho participants are using loaned MacBooks.

The Community Library Network at Hayden is at 8385 N. Government Way.

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Info: www.uidaho.edu/cda/outreach/inspire-idaho