This year has seen an increase in attendance by families at the YourFIT expos.

 The Your Future in Technology (YourFIT) program has expanded this year and now provides students with the option of learning about the Diesel / On-Site Power Generation Technology program available through the College of Technology at Idaho State University.

“This particular program has a lot of interest and will help local employers who are needing to hire diesel mechanics. This is especially true of Western States Caterpillar who recently built a new facility here,” said Kandi Rudd, regional manager of the Pocatello office of the Idaho Department of Labor.

The other career focuses of the YourFit program include welding, machinist, instrumentation (controls), maintenance engineers (mechanics), nuclear operation tech, information technology (geographic information systems, computer information systems, cybersecurity), outdoor electrical and unmanned aerial systems (drones).

“The reason why we focused on these jobs is because they are high growth jobs, they are in demand and they are high paying jobs,” Rudd said.

Students are excited about the career options presented to them at the YourFIT expos.

The YourFIT program has also expanded to include two additional expos, bringing the number of expos to nine this year. “Local schools have also seen an increased turnout at these events by students and their families,” Rudd said. This expansion also has meant expanded costs.

More funding was necessary to put on the YourFIT program this year even after a $17,000 grant from the Idaho National Laboratory and $8,500 contributed by the Bannock Development Corporation. The Bannock Development Corp. worked with community business partners in order raise the remaining $8,000 needed to cover the costs associated with the two additional expos.

The Your Future in Technology (YourFIT) program began in 2016 when employers in Southeast Idaho found themselves having a hard time filling technical positions. (More details about the program can be found in this video made by the Bannock Development Corp.)

This series of career expos at local high schools is aimed at increasing awareness of these well-paying, in-demand careers with students and their parents. This program gives high school students the chance to discuss educational opportunities with instructors from Idaho State University College of Technology as well as students currently enrolled in the programs, watch hands-on demonstrations and learn about these employment opportunities from local businesses.

–Kristie Winslow, technical writer,
Idaho Department of Labor