Industry leaders and educators are hoping to teach the tools of the trades to the next generation of workers.
As the Flathead Valley continues to grow, the demand for work in local trade professions like construction has never been higher. But with the aging workforce and fewer new employees entering these fields, local employers have struggled to meet their workforce demands.
The biggest issue most industry leaders have observed is a skill gap between the positions being vacated by older, retiring tradespeople and the newest members of the local workforce.