Welding and automotive know-how college students at Kootenai Technical Training Campus are about to take pleasure in expanded area and stock, because of the greater than $300,000 in grants their applications have simply been awarded.
“The state of Idaho simply obtained authorized for $4 million all through the state for profession technical schooling enlargement,” welding teacher Katie Johnston mentioned Friday. “We’re increasing.”
Johnston and auto tech teacher TJ Robertson utilized for his or her applications to obtain a piece of the funds. They acquired the excellent news within the first couple weeks of college that they are going to be awarded $120,420 and $192,702, respectively.
The welding program at present has 100 college students and 27 work station cubicles. The grant funding can pay for the addition of fifty new welding cubicles, stocked with every part college students will want — welders, toolboxes, grinders, welding helmets, jackets and extra.
Johnston mentioned it was loopy when she obtained the decision from her boss, KTEC Director Colby Matilla, letting her know the grants have been authorized.
“I simply could not consider it, I used to be so excited,” she mentioned. “It was a reduction, as a result of I am like, ‘How are we going to fund this increasing program and our state funds aren’t that a lot?’ We have been going to fundraise and get by with what we had, search for donations. This simply takes a lot stress off our half.”
First-year welding scholar Erik Smart, a Coeur d’Alene Excessive College junior, mentioned the grants are properly deserved.
“There’s at all times going to be a necessity for a lot of these jobs,” he mentioned. “It is a good factor children are studying these trades. Trades make the world flip.”
KTEC has additionally employed one other full-time welding teacher to accommodate for the demand for the programme, Johnston mentioned, and the classroom itself might be constructed out to make room for extra college students.
“The extra gear will make it attainable to supply extra alternatives for college students within the space,” Matilla mentioned.
The auto tech program grant cash will assist pay for 2 2022 automobiles for college students to work on, in addition to new instruments, instrument containers, air-conditioning machines and electrical-training kits.
“They get to truly construct an electrical board and check it,” Robertson mentioned.
He mentioned he was associated to listen to the grants have been authorized.
“We’re doing good issues getting this for the youngsters,” he mentioned. “All my children have been excited. I instructed them about it after I wrote it, after which they have been actually enthusiastic about getting new gear and new automobiles.”
At present, the latest automobiles college students should work on are from 2014. Matilla mentioned new automobiles converse for themselves.
“Simply having the ability to replace and be on the reducing fringe of know-how retains our college students sharp and on the entrance of the pack,” he mentioned.
LCHS senior Devon Gaurin is amongst Robertson’s college students desirous to tinker on a brand-new automobile.
“We get to study the brand new know-how with automobiles turning into all digital now,” he mentioned. “With the brand new automobiles, it provides us extra schooling. And schooling is energy.”
CHS senior Will Tigerd mentioned he plans to go to commerce faculty after he graduates.
“I plan on turning into an official automotive mechanic afterwards,” he mentioned. “We’re all working for a greater future.”
