At Wisdom Ranch Vocational Gap Year, young men are learning the value of skilled trades. The young men at the ranch are deepening their confidence little by little in other areas of their life by finding a potential career path. A vocational skill like carpentry is a viable career path with extensive job openings across the United States.

“Millions of American jobs remain unfilled because there are not skilled workers to fill the positions,” says Monte MacConnell, founder and owner of Wisdom Ranch Vocational Gap Year. “The goal for all graduates of Wisdom Ranch is to leave with the skills to fill one of those positions.”

Wisdom Ranch Vocational Gap Year, located in Southern Idaho, offers vocational training in three main focus areas. These areas are auto mechanics, carpentry, and welding. Students attending Wisdom Ranch use a program called SkillStack through the State of Idaho Department of Education. This program breaks skills down into small areas of focus. A program like this lends itself to students who learn differently, those who lack the confidence to begin projects, and those who desire to learn vocational skills in a supportive and hands-on environment.

Students can enroll anytime year-round, and begin seeking badges through the SkillStack program. The young men at the ranch spent much of the fall and early winter handling a remodel in the basement of the lodge where they live. They managed everything from the price comparisons and subsequent ordering of necessary materials to building the additional rooms. Students also have the opportunity to get involved in building a tiny house. One of the students is currently residing in a tiny home that he helped build. The building process took about six months, and many of the current and past students lent a helping hand. As young men prepare to graduate and leave the Ranch, they can become “ranch hands,” allowing them to live separately from the lodge in a tiny home.

About Wisdom Ranch Vocational Gap Year

Wisdom Ranch opened in 2020 to provide an immersive ranch vocational gap year experience. Wisdom Ranch is located on a 4000-acre ranch outside of Arco, Idaho.