Ashley and Hannah Drive the
Construction Industry Forward

“I was raised by a single mom,” says Ian Alvstad, who works for 71 Construction, a Casper-based company that hires Climb graduates. “Things were tough when I was growing up, and I know first-hand that single moms are such hard workers; all they need is a chance to realize their dreams and potential.”

71 Construction handles underground utilities, industrial construction, concrete paving, hazardous waste removal, and more. The business has two Climb graduates on their crew: Hannah and Ashley fill important jobs in an industry that faces serious labor shortages. Both women haul materials to job sites, including a major project to replace five bridges on Interstate 25 that goes through Casper.

“Driving trucks turns out to be something I enjoy immensely,” says Hannah, who especially likes asphalt paving. “I don’t drag my feet. I love going to work.”

“As older workers in this industry retire, we’re not seeing a younger workforce step in to fill that void,” says Ian, who appreciates that Climb’s intensive training pairs moms with experts who often have decades of experience to pass along.

“Artificial Intelligence can’t do these jobs, that’s for sure,” says Ian. “Ashley and Hannah are real go-getters. The training and tools Climb has provided them with, as well as the ongoing support, are a huge benefit to us as an employer. They are literally building a stronger community.”

Ashley behind the wheel at 71 Construction, where she hauls materials for major projects like the replacement of bridges on Interstate 25.

“As older workers in this industry retire, we’re not seeing a younger workforce step in to fill that void.”

723,000 new workers are needed each year to meet the construction industry’s demands.

51% of construction firms report experiencing project delays due to a labor shortage.

Climb has trained more than 500 women in non-traditional careers, including commercial driving, plumbing and pipefitting, construction trades, and HVAC.