Johnny Soumie has one word he associates with his experience — opportunity. He was born in France and was eight years old when his family moved from Guana to Idaho. Soumie said it has been a great journey moving to the United States and becoming a U.S. citizen. That journey led him to the Idaho Department of Labor and the ICONIC program.

Soumie’s career path hasn’t been linear, with career changes due to events happening in his life.

Johnny Soumie stands proudly at Land Lab Day in November.

He attended Boise High School and completed two years of college at Treasure Valley Community College with a full ride scholarship. However, he had to shift his priorities.

“I studied computer science, but I couldn’t finish (the degree) because I had a kid and I had to come back home, take responsibility and support him,” Soumie said.

Afterwards, Soumie got a job as a diabetes specialist. However, he was laid off and ended up at the Idaho Department of Labor in Boise looking for assistance in finding a new career.

There, he was connected to Workforce Consultant Rob Anderson who decided Soumie would be a fantastic fit for the ICONIC program.

“Rob told me there were a lot of people on the list (to participate in the program) but he told me he was going to help me make it through and make it possible for me. I had trust and he kept in communication with me every day…filling out paperwork,” Soumie said. “I am very happy with what he did for me.”

The Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program is a path to a rewarding career in highway construction. It is an intensive course that involves a mix of classroom and hands-on learning at no cost to the participants. Students receive certifications in heavy equipment operation, flagging, forklift, first aid and more.

Soumie said he wants to be a heavy equipment operator and when he found out the program was free, he was even more excited to participate. He said this has been a great opportunity for growth, especially since everywhere you go in Idaho there are construction jobs.

Soumie directs how to dig a trench at Land Lab Day.

“This is a life changing opportunity for me right here,” Soumie said. “I appreciate it very much, because it’s going to make a lot of change for my family.”

Soumie grinned ear to ear when talking about the program and his experience. He said he recommends it to people who don’t have any experience in construction to apply.

“I am loving this program. I love driving the equipment. I have never ever gone through any of this before, but I just tell myself that I have to have confidence and pursue what I have to do and to keep going,” Soumie said. “The people and the instructors that I see every day, it puts a smile on my face, and they make it worth it.”

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The next cohort will be in Twin Falls from Feb. 17 to March 13. Apply to participate in the program at iconic.idaho.gov. The ICONIC program is 100% funded by FHWA and administered by the Idaho Transportation Department in partnership with the Idaho Department of Labor and Baker Technical Institute.

Lindsay Trombly, Public Information Specialist

Idaho Department of Labor