Students at Melba Junior High and High School had the chance to roll up their sleeves and explore hands-on career opportunities in construction during the recent Build Up Idaho event, held March 20. The day-long experience was all about getting students excited — and prepared — for real-world careers in the trades.
In the morning, eighth-grade students rotated through 10 interactive stations at the Melba Junior High gym. From learning how to read build plans to operating heavy equipment, the event offered an exciting preview of what construction and trade careers look like on the ground. The goal? To provide not just exposure but real, tangible skills students will remember as they begin to create their Career Pathway Plans.
Each 30-minute station was led by professionals from College of Western Idaho (CWI) and respected industry partners including Exyte, Kiewit, Idaho AGC, United Rentals, OSHA, the Department of Labor, and DASCO. Students learned everything from measuring and leveling to excavation and site safety — all while developing teamwork and problem-solving abilities.
Later that afternoon, the focus shifted to Melba High School where students selected six career-focused sessions to attend. Each session was led by industry experts — including CWI’s Plumbing and HVAC Trades programs — eager to share insights about their work and the journey it took to get there. Students gained valuable knowledge about career pathways and training options available to them after high school.
By bringing professionals and educators together, Build Up Idaho is helping fill the gap between student curiosity and career readiness. Events like these are more than just educational — they’re inspiring the next generation of tradespeople to dream big, start building, and take pride in the power of skilled work.
