Polson High School adds construction trades program
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News from PHS
POLSON — Polson High School has added a new course offering to students this year. The course is called “Construction Trades.” Each year the PHS staff and students make suggestions about course changes and additions for the upcoming school year. During this process last year, it was determined that a shift in this direction would have a benefit for both PHS Students and the Polson Community.
The shortage in skilled trades is not only a challenge in our community, but across the nation. One of the primary goals of the Construction Trades course is to expose Polson High School students to the many skilled trades that exist. Beginning projects for the students will be the construction of two storage sheds. Other more immediate projects discussed are a timing shed for the PHS track events, a meat drying rack for the PHS Indigenous Immersion Program, an improved PHS entrance sign, and other storage sheds for the Polson School District purposes.
In addition to these hands-on building projects, class time will include inviting local professional tradesmen as guest speakers, field trips to visit job sites, and developing other skills such as learning to back up a trailer, learning to operate a skid steer, etc. A future goal is to grow interest and support for the program to the point of constructing a student-built house.
This new program has been made a possibility largely due to the support of the Greater Polson Community Foundation. The GPCF generously awarded a $25,000 grant that has been used to purchase a 16-foot enclosed utility trailer, job site tools, and a set of basic construction tools that all participating students in the course will be able to keep upon successful completion of the yearlong double period class. Construction Trades is taught by an experienced PHS Teacher, Jay Sampson. PHS currently has 11 students enrolled in the class.
“We are excited for this incredible opportunity for our students. The experiences that students will have while participating in construction trades will open doors for both employment opportunities and career paths,” said Principal Andy Fors.
This course addition is a small part of a larger effort to grow the trades programs at PHS. If you would like more information, please contact Fors at Polson High School.
