North Idaho College

Anyone looking to crack the local aerospace industry can get a great start with North Idaho College’s aerospace program.

Employment in aviation maintenance and advanced manufacturing is growing rapidly in North Idaho, requiring a highly skilled workforce. There was 16 percent growth in aerospace industry employment in North Idaho from 2008 to 2009, during the height of the recession, according to an Idaho Department of Labor 2010 report.

“Having this training in our community is helping companies to make business decisions that favor North Idaho,” said Patrick O’Halloran, NIC Aerospace director. “For instance, in Priest River and Sandpoint at least two companies are expanding right now, and there’s a company expanding its operations into Post Falls this year.”

Idaho Department of Labor (IDL) employment forecasts include a 9.5 percent projected increase in the aerospace, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and machining industries from 2010 to 2015. From 2010 to 2020, that growth is expected to be 20 percent. Jobs that the program would prepare students for have a potential average salary of $43,500, according to IDL.

Training in CNC mill operation, composite materials, non-destructive testing and aircraft maintenance are among the programs offered through the Aerospace Division.

To date, 87 students have attended with NIC’s new Aerospace division. Most have achieved at least one certificate already and 18 currently are on track to be our first two-year completers this May. While 66 students are currently attending, 18 of our graduates are already working in related employment.

“There are still some seats available for summer and fall. It’s never too early to get the ball rolling,” O’Halloran said.

For more information, call 208.625.2344 or email ace@nic.edu.

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