Getting Hands-on with Middleton’s Growing CTE Program

As the school year winds down and white spaces in yearbooks fill with names and well-wishes, the project team on Middleton Middle School’s campus is just getting started. This week, ESI is laying the foundation for the new Career Technical Education (CTE) building as the school district looks towards the future. Seemingly small projects like the CTE building are shaping the educational landscape in these communities to keep pace with continued growth and regional workforce development trends. More importantly, they provide the next generation with a wealth of opportunities and a chance to reach their full potential.

Thanks to an Idaho Career Ready Students Grant and the support of Idaho taxpayers, students and educators broke ground on the CTE building in February 2025. Site preparation and groundwork continued through the early spring, and now, after the foundation is set, the construction team is ready to raise some steel, which R&M Steel generously donated to support this project. Current students are also visiting the site to learn about planning, technical drawings, construction equipment, and how the structural steel is erected and assembled on-site.

This project presents a unique opportunity to learn from the pros as the new classroom and workshop take shape. At a time when students are beginning to form their interests and think about their futures, CTE programs like this offer hands-on, engaging learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications. Students get to explore potential careers in a low-pressure environment, opening new paths beyond traditional academic routes.

The CTE program also teaches essential soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and time management. These skills are foundational, not only for future employment but also for academic success and personal development. By integrating CTE into the curriculum, schools can foster a growth mindset and a strong work ethic.

General contractors like ESI have a vested interest in building up Idaho’s CTE infrastructure. Engagement at this level can help close the skills gap in today’s workforce. The industry is evolving and the demand for skilled workers continues to rise. Exposing students to technical education early ensures a pipeline of talent that is both prepared and motivated to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. ESI’s project team is thrilled to share its experience and inspire the next generation of builders, right in their backyard.

Supporting school districts like Middleton’s is an investment in the future workforce, economic development, and the success of every student. Voters will soon have the opportunity on May 20th to keep the momentum going as the district seeks to fund a much-needed elementary school. This new building alleviates overcrowding at the current elementary school and takes advantage of 12 acres of donated land along State Highway 44. This new educational infrastructure is built to empower students to envision and pursue a range of opportunities throughout their academic and future professional lives.

Middleton CTE students learn about structural steel as their new building takes shape.