Page 8 - TTMNSummer2025

Construction
Page 8 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Bemidji High School’s Construction Program Continued from Page 4

Strength in Community Support Advice for Schools Looking to Start a
The program thrives thanks to a wide Similar Program
network of community partners—from local The success of the BHS Construction
lumber yards and cabinet manufacturers to Program is deeply rooted in the expertise of its
excavators, trade unions, and parents. Many educators and the strength of its partnerships.
former students, now working professionals in For schools looking to start or expand their own
the trades, have returned to support the program student construction programs, the message is
that helped shape their careers. clear: “You need an instructor with extensive
In 2024, BHS received a $25,000 grant knowledge of home construction—someone
from a global HVAC and plumbing supplier, in who understands the field and can lead students
partnership with Exploring the Trades, to build safely and effectively. Just as important is
a skills lab that expands student training in building a strong network of community and
HVAC systems. Additionally, through HRDC’s industry partners who can provide materials,
guidance, the school applied for and was awarded mentorship, and support.”
a Minnesota Housing grant to support the next Ultimately, students need ownership of
home build scheduled for the 2025–26 school the experience. While some choose specific
year. These funds will go toward purchasing tasks that interest them, all are encouraged to
building materials and tools to further enhance engage in every phase of the build. The result
the student learning experience. is a sense of pride and confidence that carries
process. From framing and siding to easily rotate between classes. They spend As workforce conversations across the well beyond graduation.
insulation, painting, and cabinetry, students about 60 minutes on-site, after which the country increasingly emphasize the value of
are immersed in every step of building a next group of students picks up where the last trades, this program stands out as a proven model
home—aside from a few major installations left off, creating a continuous, collaborative for how education, community, and industry
like concrete, well, and septic systems. In workflow. partnerships can converge to empower the next www.bemidji.k12.mn.us
recent years, the program has expanded generation.
through a collaboration with a nearby Focused on Real-World Experience
technical college, allowing their students The primary mission of the BHS
to install plumbing, electrical, and HVAC Construction Program is to prepare students
systems, further enriching the hands-on for success—whether they enter the trades or Jordan’s Building Trades Course
learning experience for all. simply learn valuable life skills. Not every
student will pursue a career in construction, Continued from Page 1
Building Lasting Partnerships but all gain practical experience and
This program wouldn’t exist without the exposure to career possibilities they may not
continued support of HRDC. The partnership have previously considered.
was originally launched in 1994 when “There are so many potential careers
former BHS teacher Ron LeClaire, with help in construction that students don’t know
from former HRDC Executive Director Tim exist. We aim to not only teach them how to
Flathers and Habitat for Humanity, secured build, but to show them that there are high-
the initial grant funding. Since then, students paying, meaningful jobs in the trades,” one
have built over 60 homes in the Bemidji instructor shared. Over the past seven years,
area—each one providing new educational the program’s scope has grown to include
opportunities and a tangible impact on the deeper involvement with technical training,
community. thanks to the partnership with the technical
Each year features a new house plan to college. Impressively, several former BHS
broaden the range of student experiences. students who participated in the program are
Locations are carefully selected within 10 now continuing their construction education
minutes of the school to allow students to at the college level.

Minnesota Housing Grant Helps Fuel the bids, order supplies, and complete the work When asked about the work students

Future of Student Construction of building the memorial garden. The work are doing on these projects, Teacher Stephen
McClellan agreed with Mr. Vizenor’s
to rebuild the memorial garden structure has
included concrete work and brick and mortar sentiment, “the Building Trades students at
In early 2025, Bemidji High Funds from the award will be work, using many leftover materials from the Jordan High School were given the opportunity
School was awarded a Minnesota used to purchase building materials building construction at Jordan Elementary to work alongside trades contractors, giving
Housing grant—a significant step and tools for a new four-bedroom School. them a realistic and engaging view of the
forward for the long-standing student home to be constructed during the The other half of the Building Trades workforce. Whether they pursue a trade career
construction program. The grant 2025–26 school year. This grant not students have been building garden sheds or not, the exposure builds skills, awareness,
proposal was submitted through the only supports hands-on learning with supplies that were donated by a local and confidence that will benefit them in any
school’s ongoing partnership with the for students but also reinforces the Jordan lumber company. This work has path they choose.”
Headwaters Regional Development importance of high school-level trade included framing, siding and shingle work.
Commission (HRDC) after HRDC programs in addressing workforce When completed, the sheds will be sold by
shared the opportunity with school shortages across the state. the lumber company within the Jordan and www.jordan.k12.mn.us
leaders. surrounding communities.