Visit our new Building Trades website for updated information:  http://server.usd508.org/bt2/

 

The Schools Building Trades Program is currently working on its 11th project house.  Over those years, the school has worked closely with the City of Baxter in promoting the town’s improvement.  Six of the Eleven houses built have been built on vacant lots once owned by the city for various reasons.  Jeff McCandless, the programs instructor for the past 18 years, says the Building Trades program benefits the school and the city in many ways.  “With our program in place, the city knows that they can tear down more houses that have become a dangerous eyesore and we’ll be there to replace it with a nice new house that will make someone a great home…so it becomes much more than just teaching the kids about construction”, McCandless said.  “It sounds cliché, but it’s definitely a win, win…The students get a great education, the city gets needed tax dollars, someone gets a nice home at a decent price, and the neighborhoods always improve without fail” He added.

 

The program works like this;  Students can begin as a Freshman taking the entry level class learning the basics of construction while building a utility building.  After completing the entry level class, the students can enroll as early as a sophomore in the many courses offered in Building Trades.  If students begin as a sophomore, by the time they graduate high school they can be involved in building two houses, inside and out and be involved in several courses including:  Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, Electrical Systems, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Research and Design in Construction.  The students will have a hand in every aspect of house building including footing layout and construction,  all framing, wiring, plumbing, hvac, roofing, concrete, interior and exterior finishes, and landscaping.

 

McCandless says his students also have the opportunity to become nationally certified with the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research).  Students are required to pass testing in a minimum of 20 specific areas of construction and perform all of the hands on tasks associated with them to receive the certifications.  The certification is nationally recognized by most major construction companies and universities.  The credentials earned by the students will give them top priority for job vacancies and offer them higher pay.  They can also use the credential to opt out of some college courses if they are majoring in the construction field.  It’s a very good thing for both the students and the construction industry.

 

If you have questions or would like to tour the current Building Trades house you may contact Jeff McCandless @ 620-674-2310 or stop by the current job site in the 400 block of east 10th street.