Grade 10 students in Rocky View Schools can get their hands dirty and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through a homebuilding program with McKee Homes.
Building Futures was created 13 years ago as a partnership between McKee Homes and Rocky View Schools, with a goal to make education applicable to real life and introduce students to rewarding career opportunities, says program manager Sheri McAllister.
For the entire school year, 30 students are given the opportunity to do their schoolwork in a classroom built on a residential construction site, while also getting to participate in building houses.
“They build two homes with us from the ground up. And, when they’re not working on site with our trade professionals, they’re doing all their regular Grade 10 curriculum in two onsite garages that have been converted into one large classroom space,” says McAllister.
“We start the year with ongoing safety training for everyone, which remains a focus students take beyond their time at Building Futures. They participate in all aspects of residential construction, except for work at heights.”
Applications for the program open in March each year, and students who apply are required to submit an essay and participate in an interview. Students of all academic abilities can apply; however, extra consideration is given to those showing keenness to work outside of the classroom, motivation to be involved in the community and they are also judged in how well they work independently and in a group setting.
The students cycle out of the classroom in groups of four to work on the job site. They work on everything from the housing foundation, to framing, to mechanical systems. The McKee Homes team and their suppliers also arrange opportunities to participate in design, drafting, project management and marketing.
McAllister says students have benefited greatly over the years and have built connections that go beyond the program.
“It started as this ability for us to introduce kids to these careers that are available within the residential construction industry and the amazing opportunities there are,” she says. “What we didn’t realize when we first started was the amount of personal growth the students would go through: soft skills of learning to introduce themselves, shake hands, make eye contact and learn from other adults in an adult environment.”
The new builds for this year’s program are located in Chinook Winds in southwest Airdrie. At the end of the school year, the students will have the opportunity to open the houses to the public and showcase their hard work. The classroom will later be converted back into two separate garages and the houses listed for sale.
Building Futures student Liam Weeks says the program sparked his interest because he was bored of the repetitive, everyday classroom routine and wanted to pursue something more creative and exciting.
“When I heard of the program, I was extremely intrigued because I was able to, not only do the schooling, but also be able to build with my hands and construct something that I can visibly see,” says Weeks. “We get to pause what we’re doing, build or construct something, and we have the freedom to be able to learn the way that we love to learn.”
He says the experience has opened his eyes to a new world of future opportunities, as he was set on pursuing a career as a pilot prior to entering the program, but is now considering framing or carpentry.
Lena Chevais, also a student in the program, says she applied for Building Futures after participating in a welding camp, which sparked an interest in the trades.
“What I really like about this program is how hands on it is,” says Chevais. “It’s an irreplaceable experience where you get to be with classmates outdoors, learning in a different environment. It’s the teachers that make the program so great for the students. They are amazing.”
For more information, visit mckeehomes.com.
