Dolores Students Explore Skilled Trades at Summer Institute

08/07/2025

Guage measures pressure on an HVAC unit.

Twelve students from Dolores High School got their hands dirty—and their futures in focus—during the Behind the Drywall Summer Institute, a hands-on career exploration program held May 27–30 at Pueblo Community College Southwest’s Mancos Campus, according to an article that appeared in The Journal (Montezuma County) on June 14, 2025.

Organized by the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, the four-day institute introduced students to a wide variety of in-demand trades, including plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, welding, and heavy equipment operation. The program offered a mix of workshops, demonstrations, and field trips designed to give students a real-world look at what a career in the skilled trades can offer.

Activities ranged from practical tasks like wiring light switches and operating heavy equipment simulators, to using power tools to build games like cornhole and yard-size Jenga. Students also got their hands on welding tools and worked together on plumbing challenges—designing and testing PVC piping systems for leaks.

In addition to hands-on experience, the institute featured guest lectures and panel discussions with local industry professionals. These sessions gave students insight into various career pathways and the chance to ask questions and build valuable connections.

The program was entirely free for participants, with meals, tools, and transportation all provided—eliminating common barriers to participation and ensuring that every student had the opportunity to engage fully.

According to The Journal, the Behind the Drywall Summer Institute reflects a growing recognition of the need to prepare students for success in both college and career, particularly in fields where skilled labor is in high demand.

By giving students early exposure to these trades in a fun and interactive setting, programs like this one are not only teaching useful skills—they’re helping young people see new possibilities for their futures right here in Southwest Colorado.