FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2004

Students learn on-the-job skills through home building project
An exciting new venture will see Quinte Secondary School students working with skilled trades people to build a home. The Quinte Student Structures project was approved at this evening’s public Board meeting. Five local organizations have partnered to offer real world work experiences for local students interested in the building trades:
• Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
• The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation
• Quinte Secondary School
• Quinte Home Builders’ Association
• Dor-Ann Homes Ltd.

Quinte Student Structures will provide school-to-work opportunities for Quinte Secondary School senior technology students who enter the new four-credit Student Home Building Program. While in the program, students will construct a family home from foundation to completion. They will learn skilled trades such as framing, carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulating, drywall, heating and air conditioning, landscaping and roofing. Students will also experience teamwork, problem-solving, safe work practices and how to work effectively with other trades people.

“This is a great chance for students who may be interested in a job in the skilled trades to see what it is like. As a Board, we are encouraged that the partnership with the Quinte Home Builders’ Association will bring great benefits to our students today and after they graduate and move into the world of work,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board.

Jamie O’Shea, General Manager, Dor-Ann Homes Ltd. of Belleville has volunteered to have the students work with the company’s professional trades people to construct the new home. Construction will begin in September 2005 with an expected completion date of January 2006.

“We are happy to have students work with our trades people to learn about all the different aspects of building a home. A partnership like this has longer term benefits for the future of young people and the trades,” says Mr. O’Shea.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,900 students and employing 1,083 teachers. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For more information, contact:
• Maribeth deSnoo, Executive Director, The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2205
• Beth Selby, Principal, Quinte Secondary School, (613) 962-9295