Many of us have sought ways to help grow the next generation of builders, and I’m fortunate to work with a local program doing just that. The Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) in Watford City, ND is committed to empowering individuals through career and technical education, fostering a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of our region.
In late March, I attended an Advisory Committee meeting for the Building Trades Program at BASC. We met with instructor Mark Wilson and several of the program’s students for a tour of a house they are building in their impressive skills center. Their program actually began with building sheds, but Mark had a much greater vision for what they could accomplish. On display was the program’s first house being built by the students. [For photo, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
Due to space constraints, the house is being built in three sections, but their focus on quality is undeniable. In addition to being built offsite in a controlled environment, the program is utilizing high quality materials donated or provided at low to no cost from multiple suppliers. Indeed, this house has been made possible thanks to many partnerships in the community including the McKenzie County Job Development Authority (JDA). Once completed, this house, and future houses, will be used to provide affordable housing in Watford City.
Building homes not only provides the community with affordable housing, it is giving these students much needed workforce development to get them into the construction industry where a huge workforce shortage is occurring.
I feel that it is up to all of us in the industry to partner with places like BASC and give our support to help get more youth into the trades. WB Components partners with a lumberyard in Watford City (Elite Cabinets and Building Supply) to help supply the trusses to BASC. We’ve recognized that new truss designers don’t grow on trees and need to be developed. By providing hands-on training and real-world experience, BASC ensures that students are not just educated, but are fully prepared to contribute to the local economy as skilled, competent professionals. Maybe one of these professionals will be WB’s next truss designer or at the very least be installing our products in the future.