A hands on program at Harber High School has kids creating homes on their own.
The Springdale school's Construction Management program takes students out of home room to build actual homes, from the ground up.
"At this point we have four that are under construction," says teacher Stowe Hoffius. "They are producing a project that's tangible, that they can see."
Stowe says the kids are learning methods used in real world construction, building a foundation for a career after graduation.
"The main thing we're trying to do is place students after high school in apprenticeship programs or any highly skilled trades," he says. "There's a tremendous shortage of skilled labor in any of the mechanical fields... As the economy improves there's going to be more demand for those jobs."
There's also demand for the kids' work, all four of the 600 square foot homes are already sold.
"We were able to take it to a level that I don't think anybody fully expected," Hoffius says. "When the cabins started selling, that allowed us to bring on more projects."
Senior Dakota Cook will soon complete his third year in the program.
"There's no other class I would rather take than this one," he says. "Sitting there watching, it it's hard to learn, but once you actually do it it gets easier."
Whether through carpentry, electrical work or plumbing, Cook plans to put his skills to use in the work force.
"I like building things," he says. "I think it's really cool, actually helping out and building stuff for people."
The Springdale school's Construction Management program takes students out of home room to build actual homes, from the ground up.
"At this point we have four that are under construction," says teacher Stowe Hoffius. "They are producing a project that's tangible, that they can see."
Stowe says the kids are learning methods used in real world construction, building a foundation for a career after graduation.
"The main thing we're trying to do is place students after high school in apprenticeship programs or any highly skilled trades," he says. "There's a tremendous shortage of skilled labor in any of the mechanical fields... As the economy improves there's going to be more demand for those jobs."
There's also demand for the kids' work, all four of the 600 square foot homes are already sold.
"We were able to take it to a level that I don't think anybody fully expected," Hoffius says. "When the cabins started selling, that allowed us to bring on more projects."
Senior Dakota Cook will soon complete his third year in the program.
"There's no other class I would rather take than this one," he says. "Sitting there watching, it it's hard to learn, but once you actually do it it gets easier."
Whether through carpentry, electrical work or plumbing, Cook plans to put his skills to use in the work force.
"I like building things," he says. "I think it's really cool, actually helping out and building stuff for people."
