If You Build It, Will They Come?

In 2022, industry leaders voiced concerns to policymakers that Idaho was not producing enough engineering and computer science graduates from its public institutions to meet the needs of Idaho’s economy. In response, the Idaho State Board of Education commissioned an analysis from WICHE to explore the issue. Guided by an industry advisory group, the project team reviewed existing research, analyzed publicly available data as well as data from the state’s longitudinal data system, modeled the projected supply of graduates, and conducted a range of employer engagement activities to answer two key questions:

1. Is the supply of engineering and computer science graduates from Idaho’s public institutions
   adequate to meet current and projected industry demand?
2. If not, how can the state strategically address the gap between supply and demand?