Age of Agility Summit Idaho

On September 11th at the J.R. Simplot Headquarters, Idaho Business for Education and the Idaho Workforce Development Council hosted the Age of Agility Summit Idaho. The event drew more than 200 participants from across the state. It was the largest gathering of the national tour.

Idaho Business for Education (IBE) is on a mission to be the driving force in the development of an Idaho education system that results in graduates who have post-secondary credentials and who are workforce-ready. Their vision is to help create an education system that will provide Idaho students with a high-quality education that ensures the well-educated workforce that our businesses and economy require.

Speakers for this unique full-day Age of Agility Summit presentation were Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, Michael Simpson of PAIRIN, and David Etzwiler of the Siemens Foundation, along with a variety of panelists. Together, they highlighted the need for the education system to keep pace with the training and skill development required for the 21st-century global economy. 

Themes from the event’s discussions included expanding early career pathway exposure and shadowing programs, the benefit of credentialing and concurrent enrollment for high school students, and the crucial role of STEM-based learning opportunities to prepare students for the future, among others.

Ultimately, the conference called upon local stakeholders to take action to improve career pathways for Idaho’s students – actions like the Idaho LEADER Initiative. The Idaho LEADER Initiative offers tools, resources, and connections between educators and employers for work-based learning opportunities. The event, in combination with initiatives like this, is an important next step in continuing to prepare all Idahoans for the future of work.