When Jaxon DeWitz saw that the Flathead Valley Community College was hosting an open house for trade careers, he begged his mom to take him.  

The 17-year-old from Washington, walked the halls of the campus on Thursday after traveling over state lines with two of his friends, envisioning his future of hopefully studying in the electrical program.  

“I just always wanted to do something like this,” DeWitz said.  

His mom, Michelle Boren, who drove DeWitz and his friends to Kalispell, said he was motivated and excited for his next step after high school with this option.  

Dozens of prospective students visited the college Thursday during the first official Night of the Trades, an open house for those interested in a career in the trades. 

Partnering with Kalispell Public Schools and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, the idea is to give people more exposure to trade careers early on. The evening is part of the chamber’s Manufacturing Month celebration in October.  

“What you grow up with is what you typically think about when it comes to career pathways, unless you’re exposed to more options,” said Lisa Blank, FVCC executive director of workforce development. “There is a lot of power and potential in the trades.” 

Located in the Occupational Trades building, the evening featured hands-on career sessions by FVCC instructors in a wide array of areas, including electrical, welding, firearms technologies, surveying, plumbing, commercial driver’s licensing and fabrication. 

Northwest Montana has a lot of manufacturing companies and trade career opportunities, Blank said, so businesses are consistently looking for people to join the workforce.  

“[Trades] are different now and engage with a lot of high-end technology ... it's really a changed environment. I think it’s important for the community to realize that these jobs are high wage, family sustaining jobs,” Blank said. “There are jobs here where people can stay in the valley if that’s something they wish to do.” 

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS signed up for two sessions during the event, learning about two specific trades they may be interested in and getting to talk to a wide range of businesses about potential apprenticeships, job opportunities and advice. 

Dave Sturgis, an occupational trades instructor at FVCC for the computer numerically controlled machinery division, taught attendees how to make a small multi-tool using Computer Numerical Control machines, a process where software and programming are used to create a product.  

“It’s great getting more and more access to certain things [as this program expands],” said Joe Lewis, a second-year student in machining at the college Thursday night. “Just being able to get in and do hands on work is really cool.” 

For Sturgis, inspiring a new generation of people working in the trades is important to bridge the manufacturing gap and strengthen the economy.  

“For individuals that are looking to do this, I would like to impress upon them the very pressing and important part of getting America back to manufacturing,” Sturgis said. 

Eric Mellin, 19, attended the event after hearing about it from his sister. Currently a wildland firefighter, Mellin said that he was interested in learning about other careers in case he wanted to do something else. He attended the sessions on building trades and commercial driver’s licenses.  

“I’ve done some carpentry work before,” Mellin said. “I thought it would be cool to come and learn about different jobs and companies.” 

The program includes high school graduates and non-traditional students, some of whom are looking to change careers or increase their skills.   

Jake Buckner, an employee at Applied Materials and a father to three boys, went to Night of the Trades with his wife. Buckner, who said it was his first time seeing the trades building on campus, said he was extremely impressed with the facility.  

“[Traditional college] is not the route I took, it's not the route my wife took, there are other options out there,” he said. “We tell our boys that.”  

The program is a part of the college’s goal to expand its trades program, but also to let people know that the trades program exists.  

“I regularly talk with folks who have no idea this is happening,” said Blake Thompson, the college’s director of trades and industrial arts.  

THE EVENT featured a slate of businesses for prospective students to connect with as well. Part of an effective trades program, Blank said, is getting people into apprenticeships and positions locally.  

“From a trades standpoint, these programs are undervalued and underused,” said Josh Nelson with Sands Surveying, Inc., one of the local businesses that attended. “Trades are such a great route to get into something that may take a little less time [than a four-year degree.]” 

Nelson applauded the college’s land surveying program, saying that it's been rebuilt since the 1990s.  

Justin Freese, with Ace Heating and Air, said he looked forward to encouraging people to get involved in the trades as it provides for a secure career.  

“We are a public service, people have needs and we are here to help them,” he said.  

Learn more about FVCC’s trades program at fvcc.edu/occupational-trades.  

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at [email protected] or 758-4459. 

    Students take souvenir multi-tools created on a vertical CNC milling machine during Flathead Valley Community College's Night of the Trades open house on Thursday, Oct. 3. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider