Calendar Details

Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday Chamber Forum Luncheon:

Eastern Idaho Technical College

Community Education & Workforce Training

Presenters: Michelle Ziel & Ken Erickson

Tuesday, February 7th, Noon-1pm

Stockman's $11

RSVP's REQUIRED:  kmccullough@idahofallschamber.com

Michelle Ziel

Michelle Ziel has served as the Executive Director of the Eastern Idaho Technical College Foundation since April 2011. With a successful career in marketing including marketing management positions at University of Idaho, Grand Teton Mall and Snake River Landing, Michelle left the corporate world behind to pursue her passion for education and helping others. A proud University of Idaho alum with a Bachelor’s of Science in marketing with an emphasis in advertising, she has always loved Idaho since being transplanted here as a teenager from San Diego. In her spare time, Michelle teaches social media and advertising at EITC, raises three children, ages 7, 5 and 5 months and sings in the local ensemble, Happyville.

Ken Erickson

Ken Erickson has worked at Eastern Idaho Technical College for 30+ years.  During his tenure at the College he has served as the Workforce Training and Community Education Division Manager.  Last year, this program served over 15,000 part-time students in short-term occupational upgrade training programs.  One of the largest programs in the Division is the Idaho National Laboratory Environmental Safety & Health Program.  This program provides qualifications-driven training to Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) employees in the areas of radiological worker, respiratory, and industrial safety.  Approximately 5,700 BEA employees attended one or more of the forty courses offered in this program. Ken also manages two entry-level occupational training programs—the Professional Truck Driver Training and Radiation Safety programs.  He is responsible for working with business and industry to determine training needs and design customized programs to meet those needs.  During his tenure he has helped develop customized training programs for Melaleuca, every INL contractor, the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, municipal fire departments located throughout the College’s nine-county service area, and many others.

Presentation Synopsis

Michelle Ziel and Ken Erickson are here today to discuss the role and mission of Eastern Idaho Technical College and to ask the business community to help them determine future educational programs.  They will present a short history of the college and its accomplishments but they are primarily interested in getting your ideas to help them plan the future of your community’s two-year technical college. Your needs and interests are going to determine the programs and activities offered at the College.  One of their favorite sayings is the future isn’t something that just happens, it something you do!  Get ready to take a trip into the future with Michelle and Ken!