The Construction Academy

Somewhere in Bozeman, a high schooler is checking a wall to ensure it’s square, and it isn't for extra credit. The wall is real, and so is the future it points to.

At Bozeman and Gallatin High Schools, construction education has moved beyond the textbook. The Bozeman Construction Academy (BCA) launched in the 2025–26 school year to introduce students to construction careers and help meet Southwest Montana's need for skilled workers.

The year-long course is designed for juniors and seniors interested in the trades. Students learn safety, material handling, hand and power tools, construction drawings, floor, wall, and roof framing, roofing, siding, teamwork, communication, and work ethic. Dual-enrollment credit through the Montana University System lets them earn college credit while gaining hands-on experience.

In December 2025, students at both schools began building sheds, applying lessons in measurement, layout, cutting, fastening, and structural accuracy. By January, they were framing rough door openings and standing walls. The projects teach technique, but they also require communication, problem-solving, and safe habits. Students take pride in producing something real, and the skills go home with them for life.

The academy shows what happens when schools and industry pull in the same direction. SWMBIA Cares, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, helped build and launch the program through fundraisers, including the upcoming Framing to Formal gala held on October 17, 2026, at The Baxter Common. Get your tickets here. Local businesses have stepped up as well, supplying tools, work boots, a loaned skid steer, and bringing heavy equipment simulators and electrical work into the classroom.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers a proven model for taking this partnership further. Its Student Chapter program connects students with local builders' associations such as SWMBIA, industry speakers, job sites, internships, leadership opportunities, and competitions.

A shed may be the academy's first project, but the bigger build is a clear pathway into local careers. Whether you bring a ticket, a tool, or a job-site tour, you can help lay the next course.

Interested in mentoring a student or sponsoring the BCA? Visit bozemanconstructionacademy.org.