When Jackson DeWitz saw that Flathead Valley Community College was hosting an open house for trade careers, he begged his mother to take him.
After traveling across state lines with two friends, the 17-year-old Washington native walked the halls of campus Thursday, envisioning a future in which he would likely study in the electrical program.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” DeWitz said.
DeWitz’s mother, Michelle Bolen, who drove DeWitz and his friends to Kalispell, said the option left DeWitz motivated and excited about his next step after high school.
Dozens of prospective students visited the university Thursday during the first official Night of the Trade, an open house for those interested in a career in the industry.
The idea is to partner with Kalispell Public Schools and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce to give people more exposure to careers in the trades early on. The evening is part of the Chamber’s Manufacturing Month celebration in October.
“Unless you’re exposed to more options, the way you typically think about career paths is the way you grew up,” said Lisa Blank, FVCC’s executive director of workforce development. “Trade has great power and potential.”
Held inside the Vocational Trades Building, the evening featured hands-on career sessions led by FVCC instructors in a wide range of fields including electrical, welding, firearms technology, surveying, plumbing, commercial driver’s licenses, manufacturing and more.
Blank said northwest Montana has many manufacturing and trade-related career opportunities, so companies are always looking for people to join the workforce.
“(The industry) is different now and involves a lot of high-end technology…The environment is really changing. I think it’s important for people to recognize that,” Blank said. “There are jobs here that people can stay in the valley with if that’s what they want to do.”
Prospective students could register for two sessions during the event, learn about two specific industries they might be interested in, and talk to a wide range of companies about potential apprenticeships, job opportunities and advice. Ta.
Dave Sturgis, a vocational training instructor in FVCC’s Computer Numerically Controlled Machinery Department, explains how to use computer numerically controlled machines to create small multi-tools, a process that uses software and programming to create products. I taught the participants.
“It’s great that (as the program expands) you’ll have more and more access to certain things,” Joe Lewis, a sophomore machining major, said Thursday night. “Just being able to go in and actually do the work is really great.”
For Sturgis, inspiring a new generation of people working in the industry is key to closing the manufacturing gap and strengthening the economy.
“I want to convey to those who are trying to do this a very urgent and important part of getting America back to manufacturing,” Sturgis said.
Eric Melin, 19, attended the event after hearing about it from his sister. Currently a wildland firefighter, Merrin said he is interested in learning about other careers in case he wants to do something else. He attended sessions on construction trades and commercial driver’s licenses.
“I’ve done carpentry before,” Merrin said. “I thought it would be great to come here and learn about different jobs and companies.”
The program includes high school graduates and non-traditional students, some of whom are looking to change careers or improve their skills.
Jake Buckner, an Applied Materials employee and father of three boys, went to Night of the Trades with his wife. Buckner said it was the first time he had seen commercial facilities on campus and he was very impressed with the facilities.
“(Traditional college) is not the path I would have chosen, nor is it the path my wife would have chosen. There are other options,” he said. “That’s what we tell our sons.”
The program is not only part of the university’s goal to expand trade programs, but also to educate people about the existence of trade programs.
“I regularly talk to people who don’t know this is happening,” said Blake Thompson, the university’s trade and craft director.
The event also featured a variety of businesses for prospective students to connect with. Mr Blank said part of an effective trade program was to place people into apprenticeships and jobs locally.
“From a trade perspective, these programs are undervalued and underutilized,” said Josh Nelson of Sands Surveying, one of the local companies that participated. “Trading is a really good route to get into something in a little bit less time (than a four-year degree).”
Nelson praised the university’s land surveying program and said the university has been rebuilt since the 1990s.
Justin Freese of Ace Heating and Air said he was looking forward to encouraging people to join the trade as it offered a stable career.
“We are a public service, people have needs and we are here to help them,” he said.
For more information about FVCC’s trade programs, visit fvcc.edu/occupational-trades.
Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.
casey crider
Students receive souvenir multi-tools made on vertical CNC milling machines during Flathead Valley Community College’s evening trade open house on Thursday, Oct. 3. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
casey crider
Flathead Valley Community College instructor Julie Arnold demonstrates various welding techniques to a group of prospective students at the college’s evening trade open house on Thursday, Oct. 3. There is. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)casey crider
