CWI News – June 16, 2023

Calling all skilled workers, technicians, and tradespeople! Idaho Department of Labor and College of Western Idaho (CWI) are teaming up to host a Trades and Manufacturing Fair for those looking for opportunities in the trades and manufacturing industries Tuesday, June 20.

Participating Employers:

• Amalgamated Sugar
• Caldwell Transportation Company
• City of Boise
• City of Caldwell
• CS Beef Packers
• Das-Co
• DZ Grinders, LLC
• Guerdon, LLC
• Nucor Harris Rebar - Boise
• Sorrento Lactalis
• The Stow Company
• Western Heating and Air
• And more!

Idaho Department of Labor will also have personnel information on site for questions on funding services to support Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and academics: 

• Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
• Idaho Department of Labor
• Equus Workforce Solutions

CWI Staff will be on hand to support students in the following departments:

• Dual Credit
• Advising
• Department heads and instructors
• Admissions and Enrollment
• Financial Aid

Nampa Campus Micron Education Center

Register to attend!

For those with questions or in need of more information about the upcoming career and job fair, please contact CWI’s Work Based Learning Center at wblc@cwi.edu.

Congratulations to Industry, Engineering, and Trades Lab Manager, Kelly McDaid, who was selected as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for April 2023.

McDaid has been part of the CWI community for the last 14 years, where he came to the College as a Business student. He enrolled at the institution because he didn’t go to college after high school and had always wanted to see how he would do in school after 25 years out.

While McDaid came to the College looking to earn his associate degree, he also found a new path in life along the way — working at CWI. He got his start working in the Facilities department, then became a Shop Assistant for Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology, and finally transitioned to his current role as Lab Manager. Some of McDaid’s responsibilities include taking care of the labs at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, purchasing equipment for programs, supervising shop assistants, making sure the labs and equipment are up to date on safety for the students and faculty, and more.

One of McDaid’s other roles on campus is being the Advisor to CWI’s SkillsUSA team, a nationwide organization seeking to improve the quality of our nation's future skilled workforce through personal, workplace, and technical skills training. He began assisting the team while he was working in the Powersports and Small Engine Repair lab when a student won gold at the regional tournaments and went on to nationals. McDaid transitioned into the advisor and helped the club grow — up until the COVID-19 pandemic when things took an abrupt halt for a few years. This year McDaid and the team came back in full swing and are gearing up to send 10 students to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, June 19 – 23.

“This is not something I have done alone — it takes a pretty good team to achieve this,” said McDaid.

Watching students succeed and reach milestones is McDaid’s favorite part of the job. Working alongside a team of great individuals is a bonus for him.

“I like working here because our team is great to work with, the students are awesome to work with, and it is great to see the students succeed. I like to help them achieve what they are here for.”

Others at CWI feel the same about McDaid and enjoy how he goes above and beyond in his duties to make sure students and employees have the tools to be successful.

“Kelly is the go-to person for anything building or safety related at NMEC,” said CWI Dean of Industry, Engineering, and Trades, Pat Neal. “We can always rely on Kelly to take care of building-related issues. For instance, when something goes down in a lab, he is the first person the faculty call, and he usually remedies the situation quickly and efficiently.”

Neal added, “He has been instrumental in a reorg of the toolrooms in all the programs, this has involved new storage cabinets in the toolrooms and in some a complete remodel. This has allowed for cleaner-looking and more organized tool rooms. This has allowed the lab in each program to operate more efficiently, which is good for the students and the instructors.”

Outside of CWI, McDaid enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and brand-new granddaughter. He also likes to be outside, whether that is fishing, hunting, or enjoying the great mountains of Idaho.

Want to attend a summer concert at the Ford Idaho Center for free while supporting College of Western Idaho (CWI) students? We have the opportunity for you!

The Idaho Center has partnered with the College to support the CWI Food Pantry program. Food and monetary donations will be collected throughout the Idaho Center’s summer concerts, which spans from Sunday, June 4, through Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The Idaho Center has requested a minimum of two volunteers at each concert. Volunteers will work a two-hour shift to collect and assist guests with food donations onsite or monetarily through the CWI Giving website. After their shift, volunteers get to stay and enjoy the concert — free of charge!

Non-CWI friends and family are welcome to volunteer and enjoy the show, too. The maximum number of volunteers per show is four.

On the day of a volunteer shift, a representative from the Idaho Center will meet with volunteers as they arrive at the venue. More information about shifts will be sent to volunteers after they sign-up.

Sign Up to Volunteer!

Volunteer Opportunities and Concert Shows:

For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Jodi Hickenlooper at jodihickenlooper@cwi.edu or Christy Babcock at christybabcock@cwi.edu.