Students gain trade skill with carpentry project

A new housing unit is in the works for the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and undertaking the construction project are a group of Saskatoon high school students.
The students are enrolled in E.D. Feehan's 'Construction Technology' program as one of the Career Academy's three areas that seek to help students gain skills and experience in construction.
"(The) initiative is the right project at the right time," said Whitecap Chief Darcy Bear, about the house project still under construction.
"We now have more jobs than residents, with over 400 employees commuting from Saskatoon every day. Many of these people want to move back home to Whitecap, resulting in increased housing
demand."
Once the ready-to-move house is complete, the First Nation will purchase and move it to reserve land for use.
The project was made possible with the help of general contractor Breck Scaffold Solutions Inc., as well as a large contribution from the Affinity Credit Union and the Saskatoon Co-op Home Centre.
The partnership made good sense for the business, stated the President of Breck Scaffold Solutions, Royan Stewart.
"As we looked at labour force issues in this province it became clear that we needed to focus more than ever on training," Stewart said.
"Our company is really pleased to be one of many businesses that have participated in the Construction Technology program.
These partnerships need to become the norm. They work for every one of the
partners."
He said he is willing to offer a job to students once they graduate if they are willing to work hard and learn the ropes.
As of today, the students are half-finished the housing unit and are building a new skill set in the process.
"Our students are excited to be working on a 'real-world' project that will assist Whitecap," stated Diane Boyko, who is Chair of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board of Education. "We very much appreciate the generosity of our partners who, like us, want to discover innovative ways to engage young people in their education."
The 'Construction Technology' program was first created in 2006, with students helping to build a Habitat for Humanity Home. Since then, students have built various homes, playhouses and sheds and have done renovation work at their school.