Heather Estrada, the head of FVCC’s agriculture program, is spearheading the school’s new brewing program set to begin in the fall. Estrada is pictured on June 2, 2015. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon

A new craft brewery opens every 16 hours in the United States, according to the Craft Brewers Association.

More breweries means more brewers, and to meet the labor demands of the growing industry, which created 115,000 new jobs across the country in 2014, Flathead Valley Community College is starting the state’s first ever brewing program this fall. The two-year program, called the Brewing Science and Brewing Operations Program, will enable students to receive an associate of applied sciences and practical experience at local breweries.

FVCC Agriculture Program Director Heather Estrada said local breweries first approached the community college last year about offering brewing courses. Students will take 23 courses on everything from brewing methods and environmental sustainability to workplace safety and beer packaging. Students will also get to make their own beer at the Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside, which offered the college space for students. The students’ beer will then be available on tap and part of the proceeds from its sale will go toward student scholarships.

“We’re excited about what this program will do for Montana’s brewing industry,” Estrada said. “We’ll be able to provide quality workers to this expanding industry.”

Halfway through the program, students will need to complete an internship and Estrada said breweries in the Flathead Valley and Missoula have already expressed interest in hosting brewers. Estrada said that real world experience would be invaluable when the students are looking for jobs after graduation.

“Brewing is an art and a science and so being exposed to the brewing process will help these students hone in their artistic side,” she said.

Estrada said she is confident there will be no shortage of jobs for the school’s graduates. The craft beer industry is growing at a rate of 17 percent annually and currently represents 20 percent of the market share of national beer sales.

The program’s first class will be capped at about a dozen students, although Estrada hopes those numbers will increase in future years. Every student who applies to the program must be at least 21 years old.

For more information, visit www.fvcc.com/brewing.