MERIDIAN, Idaho — High school students in Meridian are stepping onto construction sites and into future careers, building storage sheds for local veterans while gaining hands-on experience in the skilled trades.
More than 250 students from across Idaho’s Treasure Valley participated in the annual Idaho Associated General Contractors Construction Combine, a workforce development initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and employment in the construction industry.
Over the course of two days, students worked in teams to construct 13 storage sheds using professional tools and techniques. The completed structures will be donated to veterans in the Meridian area at no cost, combining workforce training with community service.
For Idaho City High School senior Kennedy Smith, the experience reinforced a passion for building.
“My family were a bunch of carpenters,” Smith said. “I was kind of raised into woodworking. I never thought I’d really have the love to build, and I do.”
The Construction Combine is structured to replicate real-world job site conditions. Students rotate through essential tasks such as measuring materials, cutting lumber and coordinating workflow — skills directly aligned with industry needs.
Organizers say the event gives contractors a firsthand look at potential hires while allowing students to demonstrate their abilities beyond the classroom.
“It gives contractors a chance to see students are ready for employment beyond high school,” said Molly Johnson, director of workforce development for the Idaho Associated General Contractors.
The timing is critical. Like many states, Idaho is facing a shortage of skilled construction workers as population growth fuels demand for housing and infrastructure projects. Programs like this aim to create a pipeline of job-ready workers by exposing students to career opportunities early.
Beyond workforce development, the initiative carries a strong community impact. The sheds are built specifically for veterans, many of whom rely on the additional storage space for everyday needs.
David Pristupa, a veteran who helps coordinate the donations, said the response from recipients is often emotional.
“Their faces light up,” Pristupa said. “They really appreciate it.”
Students also leave personal messages inside the sheds, thanking veterans for their service — a gesture that adds meaning to the project.
For Smith, whose family includes veterans, the experience goes beyond learning a trade.
“It makes me feel like we’re actually doing something to give back,” she said.
Materials for the sheds were funded through a grant supported by The Home Depot, highlighting the role of industry partnerships in supporting workforce initiatives.
Organizers say they hope to expand programs like the Construction Combine in the future, helping more students transition from education into construction careers while addressing ongoing labor shortages.
Originally reported by Cooper Morgan in KTVB.
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