Construction Combine 2021 (Pocatello)

Construction Combine 2021 was recently held on March 31 & April 1, 2021, at the Home Depot parking lot in Pocatello, Idaho. Construction Combine is a down and dirty, hands-on, two-day event. Starting on day one, students interested in construction have the opportunity to learn framing, roofing, welding, plumbing, drywall, flooring, siding, and concrete. Students work side by side with pros in the construction industry to build sheds for local disabled vets. The great thing about Construction Combine is nothing is pre-assembled. The sheds are built from scratch. At the end of day two, the sheds are presented to the vets.

Students learn valuable skills and position themselves for job offers from industry leaders. Peyton Muna, a junior at Pocatello High School said, “It was fun and I enjoyed myself. I learned how to lay concrete and shingle a roof. I plan on using those skills later on, and I received a job offer from Cornerstone Concrete.”

Although numbers are limited, the combine is free for students to participate. The materials and manpower are donated. According to Scott Stephens, from Idaho State University Workforce Training and the organizer of Construction Combine, the cost of donated time and materials to make the combine happen calculates to be around $65,000. The estimated cost per student to participate is $1000.

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Written by Jennifier Newsom, Region 5 Next Steps Idaho Ambassador (2021)