Kids in Construction COP Construction & Build Montana Bring Kids Back to the Trades

September 1, 2024

by Kelly McCandless

photos by Build Montana

In Montana, construction is one of our long-running jokes: Montana has two seasons: winter and road construction. Jokes aside, the construction industry is critical to developing everything around us and provides some of the most rewarding and lucrative careers.

This industry is also one of many struggling with talent attraction and retention. For nearly a generation, college was promoted as the best path forward, and focus on the trades faltered. Build Montana, created by the Montana Contractors Association (MCA) and the MCA Education Foundation, aims to change that. Build Montana generates excitement and promotes careers in construction by providing students with easy access to the tools needed for a career in the construction industry. Through Build Montana, students identify the education and training required for a desired career path, explore current career opportunities available in Montana, and receive access to training, funding, and job placement resources.

Why Construction Matters

Construction workers spend their days building America, and the jobs needed to do that vary greatly. The fields available for people are widespread, including electrician, ironworker, mason, operating engineer, plumber, sheet metal worker, construction laborer, carpenter, and more.

What’s more, the industry plays a huge role in Montana’s economy. Statewide, construction employs about 26,000 people, accounting for about $3 billion of Montana’s Gross Domestic Product. Despite this, construction businesses struggle daily with attracting new, skilled employees.

That’s where Build Montana comes in. Construction companies connect with K-12 schools, two-year colleges, and certificate programs, and students get hands-on experiences.

Hailee Olsen is the Director of Build Montana and Workforce Development for MCA, meaning she focuses on facilitating these connections. “I try to connect our MCA members (commercial construction businesses) with schools by scheduling the students to do site visits, tours, interviews, and more. These visits give students a broad idea of the careers available in the construction industry. Kids think about building houses when they think of construction, but we open their eyes to all the different careers in the industry,” Olsen said.

To date, Build Montana has run successful programs in Kalispell, Billings, and Great Falls. They’re eager to expand to any community where schools are interested, and MCA members are available to offer opportunities. “The construction industry has so many expensive tools and equipment and multi-million-dollar projects – kids can’t experience that in the classroom,” explained Olsen. Once kids are aware of the opportunities, Build Montana is there to offer resources so the students can connect with potential employers, often receiving financial support for qualified students to get training and certificates.

COP Construction and Build Montana

Glen Perry is the President and CEO of COP Construction. He’s been in the industry for over 30 years and worked all over the country. According to Perry, Build Montana is the best program out there, and it is working to fill the pipeline with talent for the industry.

“We started with Build Montana to allow students to come out and see the work we do and try things out. We provide experiences and give students a well-rounded look at what a career in construction might look like,” said Perry.

Haley Verhasselt, COP Construction’s VP of HR and Culture, also weighed in. “Most of our work is based in heavy, civil construction. In Montana, we do underground utilities, so we’ve had the kids out to see things like a safe trench, to see how deep sewer lines can be, to show off the magnitude of the work. They see the scope of the work as well as what a safe worksite looks like. It’s a memorable way to open their eyes.”

Perry sees Build Montana as part of a much-needed solution to the labor shortage construction faces. “It’s our single biggest challenge,” Perry explained. “I’m a firm believer that we as an industry have not done a good job marketing ourselves to young people. We created this problem by not promoting what a great industry construction is.”

Workforce development programs like Build Montana are becoming more common nationwide, but everyone does it differently. Some programs focus on in-class education to generate awareness. Perry believes Montana's “boots on the ground” approach sets us apart.

“Build Montana is an example of what this program should be on a national level,” continued Perry. “MCA and Billings Public Schools have done a fantastic job, and many construction companies across the community are involved – which is good for all of us. The results of Build Montana are tangible, and the potential is limitless.”

To the Top

A unique aspect of construction is the advancement opportunity available to all employees regardless of entry-level. The team at COP Construction talked about their employees starting as laborers and moving up to management and superintendent positions. “We have many senior staff who started as laborers. We prefer to grow our employees through our business and try to promote from within when we can,” Perry shared. He also noted that COP has employed nine students out of the Build Montana program, and they are excelling. One student came on as a laborer and has already transitioned to an equipment operator. Proof of concept, already at work!

Originally printed in the October 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

Kelly McCandless

Kelly McCandless is a Billings native who loves a well-planned adventure, being outdoors when the weather is nice, historic fiction and hot coffee. She’s passionate about writing, cooking, education, travel and doing all of these things with her husband Ryan and their two incredible daughters

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