7th Annual Youth Conference A Success

The 7th annual Dream It Do It HERE Youth Conference, held May 16th on the University of Idaho Campus, drew 500 students and 54 counselors from 24 schools in north central Idaho and southeast Idaho.

Thirteen industries were spotlighted by 48 presenters from 29 businesses throughout the region. Over 30 volunteers from the region were on hand to ensure students and presenters felt welcome and knew when and where to be.

The purpose of the event is to:

• Expose students to regional occupations through a series of employer-led breakout sessions
• Connect students to career pathways offered through our local institutions that can prepare them for some of these occupations
• Educate them on their value to our region’s future workforce

The day-long event featured five 30-minute breakout sessions, four with industry and one for higher education and vocational training. Industry representatives highlighted occupations in their industry, education/training pathways, wage range and work culture, job availability, as well as what they like about their respective jobs and what a typical day on the job is like. Lewis-Clark State, Walla Walla Community College, and University of Idaho presenters related educational pathways for the featured industries.

As many of those attending travel a great distance for the conference, the students are provided breakfast and lunch and a snack for the trip home. Opening ceremonies and lunch get wild as over 25+ door prizes ranging from tablets, $100 gift cards, backpacks, paddleboards, sporting equipment, and drones are awarded. Each student receives a book bag filled with SWAG from higher education, industry partners, and supporters.

This highly anticipated annual event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and volunteers.

This year’s major sponsors were: Nez Perce Tribe Local Education Program Fund & Tribal Enterprises and Idaho North and North Central EcosySTEM. Additional financial support was provided by Lewis-Clark State College, Northwest Intermountain Manufacturers Association, J-U-B Engineers, P1FCU, Walla Walla Community College, and Hillco Technologies.

Our gratitude is deeply extended to the businesses that kindly gave their time to share their experiences with the students:

• Advanced Welding
• Beautiful Downtown Lewiston
• Best Western Hells Canyon Inn
• CenterWell Home Health
• CHAS Health
• City of Lewiston Fire Department
• City of Moscow Water Department
• Clearwater River Casino
• Fisher Systems
• GeoProfessionals Innovation
• Hillco Technologies
• Idaho Department of Corrections
• Idaho Department of Labor
• J-U-B Engineers
• Nez-Perce Clearwater
  National Forest
• Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries
• Palouse Police Department
• Port of Lewiston
• Potlatch #1 Financial Credit Union
• PotlatchDeltic
• Renaissance Marine
• St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
• U.S. Forest Service
• Tri-State Memorial Hospital
• Zions Bank

We look forward to May 21, 2024, when the 8th Annual Dream It Do It HERE Youth Conference will be hosted by LC State on the beautiful Lewis-Clark State College Campus.

Please contact Deb Smith, [email protected] if you are interested in being a sponsor or joining us an industry presenter that day.