<![CDATA[Construction Academy Bozeman - Updates]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:31:57 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[A Big Thank You to Williams]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:59:33 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/a-big-thank-you-to-williamsWe have been incredibly fortunate to have some great industry partners supporting the Bozeman Construction Academy, and Williams continues to be a huge part of that.

This summer, Williams held its 11th Annual Charitable Golf Tournament at Bridger Creek Golf Course. This year, they chose to focus the event on supporting skilled trades education and creating more opportunities for young people to explore careers in the trades. The tournament brought together an impressive group of contractors, suppliers, businesses, and community members who all stepped up to support that goal.

The result was pretty amazing. The event generated more than $100,000 in charitable giving power, and Williams was able to completely fund the wish list for our Construction Academy programs at Bozeman High School and Gallatin High School.

For our program, that is a big deal. These are tools and equipment that our students will actually use every day. Our students spend a lot of their class time building, learning to use tools safely, laying out projects, solving problems, and developing the skills they would use on a real job site.

What we appreciate most about Williams, though, is that their support goes well beyond buying equipment. They recognize that if we want more young people to enter the skilled trades, we have to give them a chance to experience those careers while they are still in high school.

Williams has been willing to show up, work with our schools, connect students with people in the industry, and invest in pre-apprenticeship opportunities. That kind of partnership is exactly what we hoped for when we started the Construction Academy.

Our goal has never been to simply teach students how to build a shed. We want students to discover what they are good at, meet people who do this work for a living, and understand the opportunities that are available to them after high school. Williams and our other industry partners are helping us make that happen.

A huge thank you to Williams, the Williams Foundation, and everyone who sponsored, donated, volunteered, or played in this year's tournament. There were a lot of people and businesses behind this event, and the impact will reach far beyond one day on the golf course.

Most importantly, our students are the ones who will benefit.
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Thank you for investing in them and in the future of the trades in our community.
]]><![CDATA[Construction Academy Students Help Build Hyalite Elementary Ice Rink]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:55:44 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/construction-academy-students-help-build-hyalite-elementary-ice-rinkHere’s another great experience from last spring that we’re a little late in sharing!

Construction Academy students had the opportunity to get out of the classroom and help with a community project at Hyalite Elementary School. Working alongside Williams Civil, Williams Academy, RDO, and Langlas, students helped prepare the site for a new outdoor ice rink.

The project gave students hands-on experience with surveying, site preparation, and heavy equipment operation. More importantly, they were able to work alongside industry professionals and see how the skills they are learning in the Construction Academy are used on an actual job site.

For many of our students, getting behind the controls of heavy equipment and learning from experienced operators was a highlight of the year. They also got to see that construction is about much more than operating equipment—it takes planning, teamwork, communication, accuracy, and a lot of hard work to take a project from an idea to a finished site.

This project required a significant commitment of time and volunteer hours from everyone involved, but the end result was well worth it: a great real-world learning experience for our high school students and an amazing new ice rink location for the students and families at Hyalite Elementary.

A huge thank you to Williams Civil, Williams Academy, RDO, Langlas, and everyone who volunteered their time, equipment, and expertise to make this project happen. Opportunities like this are exactly what the Construction Academy is about—students learning by doing while making a difference in their own community.
]]><![CDATA[Construction Academy Career Fair & Open House Connects Students with Industry]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:51:03 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/construction-academy-career-fair-open-house-connects-students-with-industryAnother highlight from last school year that we’re a little late in sharing!

Last spring, our Construction Academy hosted a Career Fair and Open House, bringing together students and many of the industry partners and sponsors who helped make the program possible.

Our partners were invited to see firsthand what students had been working on throughout the year and to set up booths where students could learn more about careers in construction and the skilled trades. Students had the chance to talk directly with local professionals about different career paths, apprenticeships, summer jobs, and what employers are looking for in new employees.

For many of our students, the event was eye-opening. They were able to see just how many opportunities exist in the trades and how the skills they were learning in class could translate directly into a career.

Even better, these conversations led to real opportunities. Several of our students connected with employers at the event and were hired for summer and full-time work.

That is exactly what we hope to accomplish with the Construction Academy. We want students to learn construction skills, but we also want them to build relationships with the people and companies in our community who can help them take their next step after high school.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and industry partners who participated, shared their time and experience, and continue to support our students. Your involvement makes a tremendous difference.
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We’re looking forward to creating even more opportunities for students and industry to connect this year!
]]><![CDATA[Cold Weather Doesn’t Stop the Construction Academy]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:47:00 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/construction-academy-students-take-on-roof-framingWe’re a little behind on sharing some of the great work our Construction Academy students completed last school year!

A little cold weather wasn’t going to stop our Construction Academy students!

Last winter, students at Bozeman High School and Gallatin High School bundled up and kept making progress on their shed projects. Framing in a Montana winter isn’t always comfortable, but it definitely adds a little realism to the experience.

Cold hands, warm layers, and plenty of hard work. Just another day on the job site!
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We’re proud of our students for sticking with it and getting the job done.
]]><![CDATA[Building Upward: Students Transition from Wall Framing to Roof Framing]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:16:35 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/building-upward-students-transition-from-wall-framing-to-roof-framingStudents in our construction program have reached an exciting milestone in the shed-building project. Over the past several months, they have been working hard to frame and assemble the structure, and they have now successfully completed all of the exterior walls. This phase of the project gave students the opportunity to practice essential framing skills—measuring, cutting, squaring walls, and working together as a team to raise and secure each section of the structure.

With the walls now standing, the class has shifted its focus to the next major stage of the build: the roof. Students are currently learning about roof framing, which introduces a new set of concepts and skills. This includes understanding roof pitch, calculating rafter lengths, and learning how rafters come together to form a strong and stable roof structure.

One of the key skills students are practicing is laying out and cutting rafters. This process requires careful measurement and attention to detail. Students are learning how to mark plumb cuts, seat cuts (also known as birdsmouth cuts), and tail cuts so that each rafter fits properly onto the top plates of the walls. These skills are fundamental in residential construction and give students valuable hands-on experience with real-world carpentry techniques.
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Projects like this help students connect classroom concepts with practical application. As they move through each stage of construction—from framing walls to cutting rafters—they gain a deeper understanding of how structures are built and the craftsmanship required to build them well.
The next steps will involve installing the rafters and beginning to see the roof structure take shape. It has been great to watch students take pride in their work as the shed continues to come together piece by piece.
]]><![CDATA[R & R Taylor Construction Supports Construction Academy Students with Winter Work Coats]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:31:11 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/r-r-taylor-construction-supports-construction-academy-students-with-winter-work-coats​We are incredibly grateful to R & R Taylor Construction for their generous support of our Construction Academy students. As winter weather set in and our students continued building sheds outdoors, staying warm and safe on the job site became even more important. Thanks to R & R Taylor Construction, our students now have high-quality winter work coats that allow them to stay comfortable and focused while working in cold conditions.

These coats are more than just warm clothing; they are an investment in student success. When students are properly equipped, they can concentrate on learning essential construction skills, practicing safe work habits, and taking pride in the projects they are building. Having professional-grade gear also helps reinforce real-world job site expectations and builds confidence as students prepare for careers in the trades.
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R & R Taylor Construction has a strong reputation for quality workmanship and community involvement, and this donation is a great example of that commitment. Their willingness to support hands-on education helps connect students to the construction industry and shows them that local professionals value their efforts and potential. We sincerely thank R & R Taylor Construction for helping keep our students warm, safe, and productive throughout the winter build season.
]]><![CDATA[Building Efficiency Through Community Support]]>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:38:30 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/building-efficiency-through-community-supportPicture
The Construction Academy is incredibly grateful to Jackson Contractors for generously loaning us a skid steer to use on our school job site. This piece of equipment will play a major role in helping our staff move materials safely and efficiently as construction activities continue.

Material handling is a critical part of any real-world job site, and having access to industry-standard equipment allows our program to function more like a professional operation. The skid steer will be used primarily by staff to transport lumber, sheathing, and other building materials—reducing physical strain, improving workflow, and keeping projects moving forward efficiently.

Beyond the practical benefits, this donation highlights the importance of strong partnerships between industry and education. Support from local contractors allows our staff to focus more time and energy on instruction while maintaining a safe and productive job site.

We are truly thankful for Jackson Contractors’ support of the Construction Academy. Their generosity makes our work more efficient and helps create a high-quality learning environment for our students.
]]><![CDATA[Building Skills from the Ground Up: Construction Academy Students Tackle Framing]]>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:21:56 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/building-skills-from-the-ground-up-construction-academy-students-tackle-framingThis week in the Construction Academy, students moved from plans on paper to real structures, gaining hands-on experience framing rough door openings and standing walls on their practice builds. These activities mark an important milestone in their journey, as students begin to see how individual pieces of lumber come together to create a solid, functional structure.
Framing a rough door opening requires careful measurement, attention to detail, and an understanding of how loads move through a wall. Students practiced laying out king studs, trimmers, headers, and sills, learning not only what each piece is called, but why it matters. Accurate layout ensures doors will fit properly and walls will stay strong and square—skills that directly translate to job sites in the real world.
Standing walls brought another layer of learning. Teams worked together to safely lift, align, and secure framed walls onto their practice structures. This process taught students the importance of communication, teamwork, and proper material handling. Every wall stood was a confidence boost and a visible reminder of what they can accomplish when they work together.
Throughout the project, students also sharpened their tool skills. From tape measures and speed squares to nailers and drills, they learned how to use each tool efficiently and safely. Safety remained a top priority at every step, with students wearing protective equipment, maintaining clean work areas, and following proper procedures—habits that are essential in any professional construction environment.
These hands-on experiences are what make the Construction Academy so powerful. By building real structures, students are not just learning about construction—they are becoming builders, problem-solvers, and future members of the skilled trades. Each framed door and each standing wall brings them one step closer to success in the industry and beyond.
]]><![CDATA[Construction Trades Students Begin Shed Projects at Gallatin and Bozeman High Schools]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:06:42 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/construction-trades-students-begin-shed-projects-at-gallatin-and-bozeman-high-schoolsConstruction Trades students at Gallatin and Bozeman High Schools have officially begun work on their first annual shed-building projects, bringing classroom learning to life through real-world construction experiences. After many weeks of developing skills in safety, measurement, layout, and tool use, students are now applying their knowledge on the job site with purpose and enthusiasm. This week marks an exciting milestone as students begin constructing the flooring systems for their sheds.

Working in teams, students are laying out and assembling the floor platforms that will serve as the foundation for each structure. They’re putting their technical training into action—reading plans, making accurate cuts, fastening components correctly, and ensuring everything is square, level, and structurally sound. The job site feels like a true construction environment, and students are gaining valuable hands-on insight into the workflow and expectations of the trades.
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These shed builds not only strengthen technical ability but also build teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence. As walls, roofs, and finishing details take shape in the weeks and months ahead, students will continue to deepen their understanding of the construction industry and the career pathways it offers. This year’s projects are off to a strong and inspiring start!
]]><![CDATA[Construction Academy Students Dive Into Floor and Wall Framing]]>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:58:12 GMThttps://www.bozemanconstructionacademy.org/updates/construction-academy-students-dive-into-floor-and-wall-framingThis last few weeks in the Construction Academy, students took an exciting step forward as they began learning the essentials of floor and wall framing. Using their newly built “practice walls,” students are getting hands-on experience with construction fundamentals that will serve as the backbone of every structure they build in the future.
As part of the process, students are developing key skills such as accurate measurement, layout techniques, and proper tool usage. They are also learning how to ensure that every component is square, level, and plumb—critical concepts that determine the overall stability and quality of any building project.
What makes this experience especially valuable is the real-world application. Students aren’t just hearing about these concepts—they’re using tape measures, levels, framing squares, and saws to apply them. By practicing on their sample walls, they gain the confidence and competence needed to tackle full-scale projects later in the year.
The Construction Academy continues to provide powerful opportunities for students to build practical skills, explore career pathways, and experience the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands. Watching these students take ownership of their learning—and their craftsmanship—has been inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what they build next.
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