Maureen O’Toole has a saying: “Let’s stick to exporting potatoes, not bright minds.” The vice president of youth apprenticeship for the Idaho Business for Education nonprofit is looking for eastern Idaho businesses and employers who are ready to take that next step on behalf of the Idaho workforce.

“Apprenticeship creates homegrown talent to strengthen Idaho’s economy, employers, and education,” said O’Toole in an email to the Post Register. “In conjunction with the Workforce Development Council, IBE won a four-year, $2.49 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to place at least 400 youth in U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeships across the state.”