Washington Group International (WGI) along with Hewlett-Packard, Simplot, and Micron fall under the agribusiness and high-tech companies who all benefit from the international marketplace.  WGI's exporting presence and benchmarking techniques are seen in the following countries: Middle East and Russia and their expertise in the power and oil/gas sectors; Canada and the United Kingdom with their environmental management and remediation skills and technologies; Canada, Germany, Mexico, Bolivia, and Jamaica with their mining expertise; Egypt, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, Russia, and the United Kingdom with improving manufacturing and industrial plant efficiencies; and China with strengths in project management, safety, and training.  In the international competition Thomas Friedman describes it, "flat," Treasure Valley companies will encounter more competition.  The United States decline in math and science is at its opportune time to focus its energy on those areas as China and India are emphasizing on technical training.  WGI is aware of the challenge and they along with other leading firms in the industry are willing to promote engineering and construction as student's career choices.  They are working with universities, high schools, and middle schools in the promotion of math and science.  Due to the quality of life in Boise it has been an attractive spot, but there is still work to be done.  WGI has invested more than $200 million in employee training and education in the last four years.  There is a great opportunity for Boise's future success.

Source: Idaho Business Review