SGW Taps TechHelp Talent Pipeline to Meet Growing Demand

Rather than compete, SGW and NPD formed a partnership to develop local engineering talent necessary to meet client design, engineering, and prototyping needs. NPD is known locally for hiring, training, and mentoring top Boise State engineering students and engaging them on client projects. TechHelp and SGW recognised that the most important “product” generated at the NPD Lab was the talent pipeline of young engineers who hone their skills working on client projects. SGW took its relationship with TechHelp a step deeper by “embedding” student employees within SGW to work on specific customer projects, giving SGW the ability to augment its staff with top young talent and to evaluate NPD student employees for potential full time employment. NPD student employees benefit by gaining exposure to industry skills and experiences that augment their academic curriculum. SGW has helped NPD become more relevant to the evolving needs of its client base by providing training in product design lifecycle and innovation brainstorming strategies. 

During the COVID pandemic, SGW’s relationship with TechHelp became even more valuable thanks to the quick turn additive manufacturing capabilities provided by the Lab. TechHelp helped drive business at SGW by offering subsidized funding for third-party contractor design work with Idaho manufacturers and entrepreneurs for SGW customers.