By Ty Shanks, Western Building Center

Flathead High School has partnered with Western Building Center, Glacier Bank and Hammerquist and Casalegno to create a program for students to learn the construction trade. This partnership has evolved from the industries direct need for Middle-Skilled workforce.

According to the latest stats from 2012, 53% of all jobs in Montana are classified as Middle-Skilled. Between 2012 and 2022 50% of all job openings will be for Middle-Skilled workers. It is our mission to give the students of Flathead School Districts an advantage of learning valuable skill sets to give them a boost in the growing Middle-Skilled workforce.

Our Program will focus on those students who may choose to enter the workforce without the advantage of higher education. As our program continues year to year we will have a graduating class of students who have been trained in the growing construction industry. The combination of classroom learning as well as direct hands on training will prepare many young adults for the future employment in the growing Middle-Skilled workforce.

Flathead School District 5 has embraced the program and encircled it with direct funding of faculty, books, and teaching aids to focus on the development of the student carpenter. As the students break ground for construction, a group of private industry businesses have been preparing the lot, the building materials and the financing for the student built home. We have partnered with subcontractors who are prepared to lead the young men and women through the entire construction process.

The Flathead High School Construction Class will begin construction on the home September 1st, 2015 with a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:30 am. The jobsite will be 663 Corporate Drive. They will be bulding a 1800 SF 2 story home.