NIC mine safety program earns federal grant

The North Idaho College Workforce Training Center's Idaho Mine Safety Training Program received a $177,439 federal grant, marking the program’s 10th consecutive Mine Safety and Health Administration grant and reinforcing NIC’s long-standing role in supporting safe mining practices across the state.

Launched in 2015, the Idaho Mine Safety Training Program has become a cornerstone for miner, operator and contractor safety statewide. Over the past decade, more than 2,941 individuals from across Idaho have completed NIC Workforce Training’s mine safety courses. The program reaches over 65 companies and trains more than 500 people each year, from new miners to experienced crews working in some of Idaho’s most rugged environments.

“NIC Workforce Training is proud to serve local mine workers, their employers, and our region’s mining communities by making it possible for miners to be able to work safely underground,” NIC Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development Colby Mattila said in a Wednesday news release. “This program is an example of how education strengthens Idaho’s workforce and supports the sustainability of critical industries in our region.”

MSHA’s annual state grant program funds mine safety education and retraining for surface and underground miners nationwide. This year’s award supports federally mandated training aimed at reducing mining-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded more than $10 million in MSHA grants.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with both mine operators and miners to provide secure working environments,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said in a Nov. 19 federal news release. "By investing more than $10 million to promote safety, we will ensure every miner returns home to their families after their shifts.”

At the NIC Workforce Training Center, MSHA grant funding supports safety instruction tailored to Idaho’s unique mining needs. The program regularly contributes to industry-wide safety initiatives, including participation in Safety Fest of the Great Northwest events in multiple Idaho communities. It also serves as an educational partner for the Idaho Mining Advancement Project, aligning workforce training with industry priorities such as emerging technologies, environmental responsibility and long-term workforce development.

The Idaho Mine Safety Training Program also provides mine safety instruction for students pursuing the new Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering offered by the University of Idaho, creating a pathway that blends classroom learning with real-world safety practices.

NIC’s program is funded 80% through federal grants ($177,439) and 20% from non-governmental sources ($44,360).

As the program enters its second decade, Mattila said NIC remains committed to helping ensure Idaho’s miners have the training they need for safe, productive careers.

“Mining has deep roots in this region,” he said. “We’re grateful for the continued support that allows us to keep Idaho’s mining workforce strong and safe.”

Visit nic.edu/minesafety or contact NIC Mine Safety Training Program senior administrative assistant Allyson Zuk at 208-625-2359 or [email protected] for details.