CWI Compass Connect – September 30, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) gave a nod to the trucking industry this month by celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Students and instructors from CWI’s Professional Truck Driving program were treated to breakfast with members of the College’s professional-technical administration. CWI’s Dean for Professional Technical Education, Will Fanning, also used the opportunity to thank the group for their commitment to the program and industry.
News Highlights
Apprentice Enrollment Highest Since 2010 at CWI
This semester the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) enrollment in apprenticeship programs is the highest in five years with total enrollment reaching 452 students. The College reports enrollment for the current year also marks a 96.5 percent increase in CWI’s apprentice enrollment compared to 2012.
CWI offers apprentice programs in Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) through its Workforce Development division. CWI’s current enrollment, which reflects numbers for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015), have reached the highest levels since FY2009 for all three programs.
“We are very encouraged to see the continued growth in demand for our apprentice training,” says CWI Workforce Development Executive Director, Christi Rood. “Obviously this increase reflects improvement in the economy and labor force. It also is a tremendous indicator of our ability to strengthen our industry partnerships to ensure CWI is providing the best continuing education opportunities in the Treasure Valley.”
CWI’s Electrical program currently boasts the highest apprentice enrollment with 202 students. The program served 256 students in FY2009 before dropping to 164 students in FY2010. The lowest five-year total for the program was 116 students in FY2012.
The Plumbing and HVAC programs have experienced nearly identical demand with 126 Plumbing and 124 HVAC students enrolled this fall. In FY2009, Plumbing served 211 students while HVAC had 136 students. The programs also experienced their lowest enrollment in 2012 with 43 and 71 students, respectively.
All apprentice students must be currently employed in their industry and working toward journey status. The programs are four years in duration and students have the opportunity to take classes on campus and online.
CWI Welcomes New Business and Manufacturing Programs Director
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Workforce Development division has hired a new Director of Business and Manufacturing Programs. Marc Swinney has been selected to lead the College’s short-term training and apprenticeship programs that range from electronics and welding to business communication and accounting software. Marc’s responsibilities include creating and implementing training certificate programs that build student’s knowledge and skills to meet business and manufacturing industry workforce needs.
“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Marc to our team,” says CWI Workforce Development Executive Director, Christi Rood. “For 20 years he has shown excellent ability both in leadership and educational training. His diverse skill set and experience make him a tremendous asset to the College.”
Swinney, who resides in Eagle, boasts a background in military and industry training, educational management, and marketing and public relations. Most recently he managed and marketed eyecare professional training programs for Essilor USA, the worldwide leader in eyeglass lens manufacturing. Swinney’s professional career began in the United States Air Force, where he spent 12 years in various leadership roles culminating as a Director of Training for an intelligence ground station in Northern California. He was responsible for ensuring personnel were trained to work time-critical real-time collection and reporting missions. Swinney continues to serve part-time with the Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field in A-10 intelligence operations.
Following his active duty military service, Swinney was the Executive Director for Friends of Children and Families in Boise who deliver Head Start programs for Ada and Elmore counties. His experience also includes working for an online and print advertising company, Idearc Media, Inc. as their corporate web site manager, and an automotive industry consumer protection and marketing strategy provider, EFG Companies, serving as the digital marketing and product planning manager.
Swinney attended the U.S. Air Force Academy where he received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma. Swinney would like to eventually resume working toward a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho.
Swinney is married to Dusti Swinney, a human resources professional. The couple has two kids; Connor (11) and Zach (9). Swinney says he and his family spend their free time playing and coaching Lacrosse and chasing after a pair of one-year old Golden Retrievers, Kyra and Koufax. The family also enjoys at least one backpack trip each year in Idaho’s mountains and attempting to keep things growing in their yard.
Applications Open for New CWI Medical Assistant Program
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is now taking applications for its new Medical Assistant – Credit program, which will start classes in the Spring 2015 semester. The professional-technical program will allow students to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. CWI is accepting applications through Oct. 10 for 20 students in the first semester.
The College has added the program to meet a growing demand for medical assistants both nationally and in Idaho. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022. Medical assistants work alongside physicians, primarily in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. They are cross-trained to perform clinical and administrative responsibilities.
CWI has appointed Dr. Tabinda Omair, M.D., as program chair to lead the new Medical Assistant – Credit program. In addition to previously working as a Medical Director in OB/GYN in Pakistan, she has experience teaching medical and nursing programs. Dr. Omair moved to the United States in 1998. She has three children.
Anyone interested in learning more about all of CWI’s Healthcare programs are invited to attend one of the College’s bimonthly Healthcare Information Sessions. A schedule of upcoming information sessions can be found at cwi.edu/events.
PHOTOS: CWI and Western States CAT Celebrate Partnership
On Monday (Sept. 15), College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted a celebration event to introduce the new Western States CAT Technician program. The event was held in the Diesel Technology lab at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Included below are photos from the event.
