RRCC program seeking internships, By LISA KACZKE, Staff Writer

County board supports industrial technology program

The creators of an industrial technology program at Rainy River Community College are considering ways to expand the program.
The program, which is a partnership between the college and Boise Cascade, began in the fall with 22 students.
Boise is now seeking area companies where the students can work in an internship this summer, Tony Jaksa, of Boise’s maintenance department, told the Koochiching County Board Tuesday.
Commissioners said they support the program and are expected to set up a meeting to include Jaksa, commissioners and several department supervisors to discuss the possibility of internships in county departments.
The program began as a solution to a skills gap that is facing Boise as its baby-boomer employees begin retiring.
“We need to survive. We’ll be hurting desperately in five, six years,” Jaksa said.
With the challenge of changing machine technology, Boise officials realized it no longer has the luxury of hiring people and then training them, Jaksa said. Now staff need to have the skills in place before they are hired by Boise, Jaksa said.
With the program up and running with its first students this year, the program needs to expand further, Jaksa said. Internships would give students the opportunity to put their classroom learning to practice.
Students surveyed about internships said their interests went beyond what the Boise paper mill offered, Jaksa said. Those responses have prompted Jaksa to ask for interest from local companies and the county.
The interests of the students also have prompted the directors of the program to consider expanding to include training for the logging and construction industries, Jaksa said.
Program officials would also like to consider a program beyond a two-year education. Officials are considering an advanced certification program that would include an additional one to two years with classes and work in the mill beyond what RRCC offers. The idea would be to bring the education to the journeyman level, Jaksa said.
Commissioner Kallie Briggs said the internships would open doors for Boise and the college. The program is a great example of a partnership and is accomplishing what is needed in the community — bringing young people into the community with well-paying jobs, she said.
Commissioner Wade Pavleck said it was fulfilling to see the college diversifying its programs, which is something he said he has been interested in for some time. The county is willing to consider creating internships for students in the program, Pavleck said.
“If you don’t train people here, they’re going to leave,” Pavleck said.
The college is expecting to add 20 more students to the program as it enters its second year this fall, Jaksa said.