Why Workforce Development Could Be One of the Biggest Drivers of Boise Commercial Real Estate’s Future

Boise commercial real estate is often discussed in terms of new buildings, rising demand, and major employers. But one of the biggest challenges facing future development isn’t land or financing—it’s finding enough skilled workers to build what’s coming next.

According to reporting by Marc Lutz in the Idaho Business Review, the new Let’s Build Idaho girls construction camp is helping introduce young girls to careers in the skilled trades through hands-on construction experience. You can read the original Idaho Business Review article here: https://idahobusinessreview.com/2026/07/02/lets-build-idaho-camp-teaches-girls-construction-skills/. This article is based on that reporting while exploring why workforce development could have long-term implications for Boise commercial real estate, construction, and economic growth.

A Bigger Workforce Starts with Earlier Exposure

The construction industry continues to face a shortage of skilled labor across many trades, including electrical work, carpentry, welding, and construction management. As Boise continues to grow, demand for these workers is expected to increase.

Instead of waiting until students are in high school or college, Let’s Build Idaho introduces girls between the ages of 8 and 14 to construction through a weeklong camp focused on real-world projects and safe tool use.

Participants spend full workdays learning practical skills while completing projects that include woodworking, electrical work, sanding, drilling, measuring, metal bending, and assembly. Some of the finished benches will even be donated to a Habitat for Humanity community project.

Beyond learning how to use tools, the program helps build confidence and introduces career paths many participants may never have considered.

Industry Leaders Are Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce

One of the most encouraging parts of the program is the level of collaboration across Idaho’s construction industry.

Companies that normally compete for commercial construction projects came together to support the camp through funding, equipment, materials, and volunteer instructors. Organizations involved include Andersen Construction, Sletten Construction, Quality Electric, Habitat for Humanity, Idaho AGC, Idaho Chapter NECA, McAlvain Companies, Sherwin-Williams, DeWalt, Sunbelt Rentals, RedBuilt, Platt, and numerous other industry partners.

For its inaugural Idaho camp, 24 girls participated with guidance from approximately a dozen female instructors working in construction-related careers.

Nationally, women remain significantly underrepresented in skilled construction jobs. According to statistics referenced in the Idaho Business Review story, women make up just over 11% of the construction workforce, with only a small percentage working directly in building and maintenance roles.

Programs like this aim to change that by helping young students see construction as an attainable and rewarding career option.

Key Facts

• Girls ages 8–14 participated in a weeklong construction camp.
• Camp attendees completed five hands-on building projects.
• Finished benches will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
• Multiple Idaho construction companies donated time, materials, and expertise.
• Organizers hope to expand the program across Idaho with additional camps in the future.

Why This Matters for Boise Commercial Real Estate

Every new retail center, industrial building, medical office, apartment community, and mixed-use development depends on skilled labor.

Boise development has remained active across the Treasure Valley, supported by population growth, continued business expansion, healthcare investment, manufacturing projects like Micron, and ongoing infrastructure improvements.

Without enough electricians, framers, plumbers, equipment operators, project managers, and other skilled professionals, development timelines can stretch longer and construction costs can continue rising.

For landlords, developers, investors, and businesses considering retail leasing in Boise or new commercial construction, workforce availability is becoming just as important as financing or site selection.

The stronger Idaho’s skilled labor pipeline becomes, the better positioned the region will be to keep pace with future demand.

My Take

As someone who works in Boise commercial real estate every day, I see workforce development as one of the most overlooked factors influencing our market.

When people think about commercial real estate, they usually focus on available land, lease rates, vacancy, or interest rates. Those are all important—but none of them matter if projects cannot be built efficiently.

Programs like Let’s Build Idaho represent long-term investment in the people who will eventually construct office buildings, industrial facilities, retail centers, schools, healthcare campuses, and housing throughout Idaho.

The results won’t be immediate. But ten years from now, today’s campers could become tomorrow’s electricians, engineers, project managers, estimators, or construction executives helping shape the next generation of Boise development.

That makes this much more than a summer camp—it is an investment in Idaho’s future workforce and, ultimately, the future of commercial real estate across the Treasure Valley.

Mike Gioioso (joy-OH-so) has for 16+ years been helping companies of all sizes buy, build, and lease perfect places for business in greater Boise, Idaho and beyond. www.streetsmartidaho.com mike@streetsmartidaho.com 208-209-9166

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