Intec Gets Funds To Move Forward Center To Train Workers To Meet Area Business Needs
Money from two sources - $180,000 in state grants and $325,000 from Spokane County - has propelled the Inland Northwest Technology Education Center from concept to full-bore operation.
Launched earlier this year, the center - INTEC for short - has rallied a cadre of local businesses, educators and government leaders to support high-tech training to boost the area’s economy.
Over the past three weeks, the idea gained a real budget for the first time, landing INTEC inside offices at Riverpoint Higher Education Park.
The two money sources - both requiring matching private money - are paying for four of INTEC’s five staff positions. Those include a specialist for job training in biotechnology, an administrative assistant, a project writer and a meeting facilitator.
INTEC’s executive director, Kim Pearman-Gillman, is on loan from her employer, Avista Corp. Avista is providing her salary as matching money for INTEC.
The $325,000 from Spokane County was the first money provided by local government to INTEC. Commissioner Kate McCaslin proposed that level of support after meeting with members of INTEC’s steering committee.
It is a one-year contribution, and requires matching money from private subscribing members.
The $180,000 in state money comes from the state’s Workforce Development Training and Education Coordinating Board. It’s available through next June. It can be renewed if INTEC reapplies.
Both grants will go toward an initial series of training programs in two career areas - biomedbiotech and information technology.
INTEC’s focus will be regional - serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Western Montana, said Pearman-Gillman, adding, “Developing skill-training programs is our first goal.” The INTEC plan stresses “demand-driven” training, learning what area employers need, then helping develop workers to meet those needs, she said.
Classes will be developed according to the specific needs, ranging from daylong sessions to courses lasting several weeks.
INTEC is also seeking money to develop lab facilities for training workers in biotech and biomed research. In particular it wants to develop “clean rooms” labs with controlled environments to handle chemicals and sophisticated tools.
INTEC has applied for a $50,000 National Science Foundation federal grant. The grant would be to help plan development of INTEC as a “regional training center.”
It’s also seeking money through the state’s 2001-2002 budget. It asked the governor’s office to include about $3 million for INTEC. That request was unsuccessful, said Pearman-Gillman.
INTEC officials have also approached the city of Spokane, which has been unable to help due to budget constraints.
“City leaders have indicated they hope to step up and contribute at some point,” said Pearman-Gillman.