Articles

Education, Employment, Economy

Jana M. Kemp

“Focus on Education,” that’s the place to start when considering how to grow the economy, said Idaho Congressman Butch Otter in a Commerce Committee meeting at the Idaho State Capitol. This came in response the question “What can Idaho do to help businesses grow in Idaho?”

Education – Take a tour of a school near your place of business. Discover what students are learning. Observe the creative displays on the walls and in classrooms. Take what you’ve observed back to your workplace to invigorate creativity. On a recent set of school tours, student art and school posters portrayed student learning. Messages such as “Listen, Learn, Respect” and “Self-control is knowing you can but deciding you won’t” remind students of behaviors that in our workplaces sometimes also fall short.

Treat education as a life-long endeavor: read, explore, take classes, visit museums, or talk to your kids about what they are learning. Education is the foundation for employment opportunities. A limited education limits job, promotion and earning prospects.

Employment – If your organization provides full-time, part-time, contract or for-hire work, a contribution to the state’s employment opportunities is being made. When my company hasn’t grown at the pace I’d like, I remind myself that by contracting with others, outsourcing projects, and purchasing products and equipment my business is still contributing to the employment opportunities for others.

Growing businesses, start-ups, and businesses moved to Idaho are all important to state’s employment and economic base. With work comes a paycheck which in turn becomes a part of the flow of dollars and exchanges that make up our economy.

Economy – The three are linked: with a solid education, people can get jobs and with steady employment the economy can grow. Idaho continues to grow. The incoming and internal growth of the population hasn’t stopped. As a result, strong education and available employment are keys to Idaho’s economic vitality. National publications continue to rank the Treasure Valley as a great place to live and to conduct business. For those who’ve been here for decades, and even for generations, the constant growth can be frustrating. And yet, without employment growth and change, Idaho’s economy would not be able to support us and all of the things we want in our lives and in our communities.

Action Plan: Improve your workplace learning so that your employment opportunities are diverse. Your success and the success.
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Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.