Construction Combine offers potential workers a hands-on view of the industry

For many of Idaho’s building contractors, business is so good these days that crews are often short on workers.

Concerned about finding extra hands in an economy that’s seeing low unemployment, construction industry members are looking to add more workers to the profession, and one novel approach is underway to grow the next generation of tradesmen and tradeswomen.

One solution is early recruitment by showcasing the profession to youth and military veterans who might never have considered a career in construction, said Scott Stephens, who created a two-day event called The Construction Combine in conjunction with Home Depot. The program puts the construction profession on display to students and others who might possibly be the next faces of the trades.

The event, which replicates aspects of the NFL Scouting Combine, was first held in Pocatello in spring 2018 and has since spread to other places in Idaho and Oregon, said Stephens, a continuing education and workforce training business consultant at Idaho State University.

Working with contractors and building association executives in the Pocatello area, Stephens said he constantly heard they had too many jobs and not enough labor, and were putting in extra hours just to keep up. They said they were eager to fill jobs at the entry level with workers who could use tools, understand simple math and advance in the field, said Stephens.

Part of the Combine training is geared to selling construction as a career path. Contractors share how they got into the industry and scout for new talent — a win-win for employers and job-seekers, said Stephens.

Stephens promoted the first event by visiting high schools, veterans organizations and the local state employment office, resulting in 79 signups. With the help of builders, he created a curriculum and found instructors to lead eight hands-on sessions at the local Home Depot. That made things easier when power tools or a certain kind of building material were needed.

“At Home Depot, we’ve noticed that the biggest obstacle for a contractor is finding good help. That is why we initially partnered with ISU to come up with the Construction Combine,” said Brad Landon, store manager at the Chubbuck Home Depot, who worked closely with Stephens to develop the program.

They found strong interest from high schools that offered vocational classes.

“The schools gave (their students) the days off, like a field trip. They were totally into the kids getting some exposure to real-world construction training. That was a watershed moment once they came on board,” Stephens added.

“We also wanted young women to connect with the fact that construction jobs are not just for boys,” he said of the high school students.

More than 50 people showed up that day, including students and members of the general public, said Stephens. It was cold – about 38 degrees. That was the first lesson for attendees: This is construction, and you will work in all kinds of weather, said Stephens.

On the day of the event, participants were issued hard hats, a Home Depot bucket with tools, gloves, a tape measure and an apron.

“Thirty different businesses either gave us money or donated the use of tools, building materials and a truck,” said Stephens.

The local McDonalds supplied lunch, and a National Guard unit provided a generator to power all the power tools.

After safety training, the participants got hands-on tutoring in framing, concrete, electrical, plumbing, flooring and masonry. On day two, participants applied their nascent skills and teamwork by building storage sheds, which were later donated to disabled veterans, while contractors/teachers observed their abilities and willingness to work hard and in teams.

Most of them came ready to learn and build, said Steve Quinton, a retired Chubbuck drywall contractor who led one of the sessions.

“You could really see the whites of their eyes” as skills and tools were demonstrated, he said. “Nobody had their cellphones out checking Facebook.”

Quinton said about 75 to 80% of the students had zero capability, but were eager to learn, get their hands on tools and make things happen.

Most of them found the experience riveting.

“They just went to work,” he said, impressed by their enthusiasm.

Later that day, contractors “drafted” the trainees with the most potential with job offers for the summer, said Stephens.

“The ‘No. 1’ pick was a college student in technology; the second one was in high school.”

Three months later, “the first round of draft picks” offered jobs were still working in the construction industry, said Stephens, who with Brad Landon, has given presentations on the program to state builder associations and other interested parties.

The Combine, which takes place at Home Depot store parking lots spearheaded by builders associations and economic development offices, has since been held in Twin Falls, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Ontario, Oregon.

“It (the Combine) will give more opportunities for more jobs,” Eastern Idaho Homebuilders Association Executive Officer Nadene Michaelson said. “The construction industry is lacking workers. We desperately need kids to come into this industry, and most of the contractors teaching are looking to hire employees.”

Stephens has since compiled a handbook and PowerPoint presentation to share with other Combine sponsors.

At the second Combine in Pocatello in March 2019, 87 participants attended, said Stephens. About 10% were female. Eight were standouts this year, and made the “draft,” two of them young women.

“We’re really excited to be involved in this,” said Home Depot’s Landon. “Last year, we felt like it was a great opportunity for us to get out into the community, give back a little bit, and to see the youth of our community go into the trades and look for new careers as they come out of high school.”

Learn more by visiting constructioncombine.org or contact ISU Continuing Education and Workforce Training’s Scott Stephens at [email protected].