Student trade programs
Supporting the next generation of building trades professionals
An exciting program in Illinois is giving high school students hands-on experience in preparation for future trades careers.
What project comes to mind when you think about high school shop class? A birdhouse? Maybe a bench? In Palatine, Illinois, the project is bigger — much bigger. This year, 150 students from across Township High School District 211 came together to build not just one, but two houses. The home builds are capstone projects in the Building Construction Program, which goes beyond traditional curriculum and prepares students for future careers in architecture, construction, or building trades.
Students learn foundational skills through both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The home builds give them the opportunity to work on both interior and exterior projects, including window installation.
We partnered with the district on the program’s spring 2022 build, providing an on-site demonstration to guide students in installing 400 Series windows in the home. Together with 84 Lumber, we also awarded scholarships to five graduating seniors pursuing further education in the trades.
“This program gets students on the right path to pursue a career in the trades that can support themselves and a family,” said Terri Nielsen, Andersen Territory Sales Representative.
Preview the project and meet the next generation of building trades professionals in the video below, produced by 84 Lumber.
When finished, this home (valued around $750,000) will be sold and proceeds will go back to the Building Construction Program, so students with an interest in the trades can continue gaining marketable skills while still in high school.
