STORY BY DEBORAH VAN LAW

PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Blaine County Education Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the Deer Creek Fund of the Idaho Community Foundation in support of the Residential Construction Academy at Wood River and Carey High Schools. 

The 2-year program began at Carey School in 2001 at the urging of the community to address the critical shortage of skilled workforce in the industry and the need to provide a hands-on learning environment for students to build.

Nine homes have now been built through programs at Carey and WRHS.

Classes are currently offered in grades 10-12 and provide hands-on training in essential construction skills such as carpentry, framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation and other building trades. After graduating, students can use these skills to go on to higher educational training or enter the workforce. 

The program’s land, staffing and major equipment costs are currently supported by the Blaine County District with additional in-kind donations from industry professionals and private grants.