Page 15 - TTWISpring2026

Construction Trades
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Winter/Spring 2026 Page 15

Building Futures Through Trades Education

Tiffany Arnold, Executive Director Wausau serves as the certified dwelling contrac-
Habitat for Humanity of Wausau tor, provides the building plans and materials,
Across the country, educators are looking and covers the cost to move the completed
for ways to reconnect students with hands- home.
on learning and meaningful career pathways. Students work together throughout the
In Central Wisconsin, a partnership between school year learning layout, framing, roofing,
local high schools and Habitat for Humanity of drywall installation, safety practices, and other
Wausau offers a strong example of how schools foundational construction skills. Unlike simu-
and community nonprofits can work together to lated shop projects, students are building an
prepare students for careers in the skilled trades. actual Habitat home that will later be moved to
Habitat Wausau’s Trades Education its permanent site and purchased by a Habitat
Program began in 1998 through a partnership partner family in the community.
with the local technical college. The goal was One DC Everest senior, Logan Cherek,
simple: give students the opportunity to learn said he enrolled in the class because he enjoys
residential construction by building a real home building projects with family members and had
that would eventually serve a local family. Over heard the course offered meaningful hands-on
time, the program evolved from a college- experience. Through the program, he has learned
based partnership into a model offered directly that layout and planning are critical elements of
through area high schools. residential construction and gained practical
Today, Habitat Wausau partners with DC experience installing trusses and drywall.
Everest Senior High School, Mosinee High For local contractors, the program has also also notes the program provides students with fields such as electrical or plumbing.
School, and Merrill Senior High School, where become an important workforce pipeline. Alex a unique hands-on opportunity to explore For educators seeking ways to expand
construction classes range from 6 to 17 students. Forer, the owner of a local construction firm, construction careers, build critical skills, and career and technical education, the Habitat
Each school hosts the construction project on its noted the value of hiring students who have par- develop a sense of pride in contributing to Wausau Trades Education Program dem-
campus, creating a real-world learning environ- ticipated in the Habitat build: their community through the construction of a onstrates how schools and nonprofits can
ment where students can participate in the full “When I hire one of the students, I know Habitat home. collaborate to create meaningful learning expe-
process of building a home. their teachers, I know what they’re learning. Over the years, the partnership has helped riences. By combining classroom instruction
The partnership works because each orga- I know what they’re capable of. There is no introduce hundreds of young tradesmen and with real-world construction projects, students
nization brings different strengths to the project. other feasible way for these guys to get the tradeswomen into the local workforce. Many gain valuable skills while contributing to a
Schools provide the build platform on school kind of experience they do without the Habitat students graduate with job offers from local project that will benefit a family in their own
grounds and a qualified instructor to guide program.” contractors, apprenticeships, or plans to con- community.
students through the learning process. Habitat The D.C. Everest Area School District tinue their education in technical construction

Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity — Youth Build Program Continued from Page 14

expressed interest in moving forward in the to the Youth Build program and by helping a
trades after this experience. family get into a safe and secure place to live.
Seeing young people actively learning By giving back to the youth participating in
and envisioning their futures is truly rewarding. the build, we were able to provide a hands-on
Youth Build not only helps build homes—it experience for future builders. We showed the
helps build confidence, clarity, and direction students the process of placing windows in a
for the next generation. We are honored to be home, then allowed them, with oversight, to set
part of a program that invests in both our com- and install windows in the remaining openings.
munity and its future workforce.” Each student gained hands on experience they
As the build neared completion, the stu- would not have received elsewhere.”
dents led tours of the home for their peers and This year, we expanded our Youth Build
contractors, proudly sharing what they learned Program with a new pilot designed to engage
and inspiring others to get involved. more students in meaningful community
Max Crookston, Sales Representative for a involvement. We partnered with local building
local roofing supplier, shared: suppliers—who generously donated materials
“This past year’s Youth Build was to Menasha, Appleton, and Kaukauna High
Schools—as well as local Girl Scouts and
amazing. All of the students were very engaged Boy Scouts, who used these materials to build
and ready to learn. They did a fantastic job picnic tables and Leopold benches. We are deeply grateful for our partner- The students helped make homeownership
with the walkthroughs, describing in detail the These projects were donated to the Habitat ships with community schools, youth groups, possible and were there to welcome the family
process of building a home. These events give ReStore, displayed, and sold to the public. All and local businesses—all working together to into their new home.
me great hope that we have real talent coming proceeds directly support the Youth Build expand hands-on trades education and inspire It’s a full circle journey—students learn
to the trades, and I value the opportunity to Program. Through this experience, students the next generation of builders. and build, communities come together in
invest in the next generation.” And for the family, who will call this support, and futures are shaped with purpose.
gained a deeper understanding of the Habitat house their home, the students’ work means
Ryan Hartman, President of a local window mission and the importance of giving back. even more. Every wall raised, every window
and door company, shared: Whether they pursue trades careers or simply set, and every nail driven represents hope, sta-
“Youth Build was a rewarding experience carry forward values of community, teamwork, bility, and a fresh start. Their hard work will be
for us. It allowed our company to give back in and compassion, the lessons learned through felt long after the final walkthrough—creating www.mjsd.k12.wi.us
two ways—by helping provide an experience Youth Build stay with them for a lifetime. a home built not just with skill, but with heart.