Vocational Technical School: Student Skill Build

The Homebuilders Association working in concert with our area Technical High Schools from Bucks and Montgomery Counties hosts an annual building competition allowing students to demonstrate their skills in home construction. The Skill Build this weekend provides the public an opportunity to see and learn more about how the HBA and our Technical High Schools are preparing our youth to meet this critical workforce need. Through its Technical Education Committee, the HBA promotes the home building industry as a career and helps address its workforce needs by creating partnerships between the residential construction industry and our educational institutions. 

 

 

2007 Skill Build Re-Cap

Construction deadlines. Material deliveries. Engineering plans.

Everything construction professionals would face the first day on a new job was staring down at a dozen teens May 15th at the annual team Skill Build, this year part of the Upper Bucks Business Expo and Home Show held at Quakertown High School. The Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties coordinated the Skill Build through its Technical Education committee.

Bensalem residents Brian Jennings and Christine Kenner, both 17 and students at the Bucks County Technical School in Fairless Hills, were ready to do their part but it was hurry up and wait.

The vocational school students admitted they felt awkward watching the framing come together on a bathroom shell, as they both are enrolled in the electrical program.

''I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure the framers will feel that way when it's my turn to run the rough electrical wiring,'' Christine said.

The students had three hours to come together with people they didn't know, read engineering plans, follow directions and execute the project.

A dozen students experienced a condensed job scenario, two teams representing Bucks and Montgomery counties and each building a rough powder room. Students had three hours to complete their projects and would be judged on how well they followed the engineering plans and the quality of their workmanship.

From pounding nails to running wiring and outfitting plumbing piping, the event aimed to give vo-tech students a taste of the work force.

''It's in everyone's best interest to partner with area vocational schools to make sure there is a good supply of skilled labor,'' said Tim Franklin, Co-chair of the Tech Ed committee.

Students worked with new industry products, like PEX tubing, a flexible, ecologically friendly replacement for plumbers copper piping.

Along with PEX tubing, energy efficient fixtures would be used in the students' projects.

Chris Jones, 18, a student at the Center for Technical Studies and Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, said the team build gave him a chance to meet other students and work with them.

''I'm enjoying all the parts of this, because I've studied all three trades: framing, plumbing and electrical. Today, I'll be working on the plumbing,'' Chris explained.

Six students from Bucks vocational schools included two each from Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison, the Bucks County Technical School in Fairless Hills and the Upper Bucks Area Vocational Technical School in Bedminster Township.

Six students representing Montgomery County vocational education were from Western Center for Technical Studies in Limerick, Center for Technical Studies in Plymouth Meeting and the North Montgomery County Technical Career Center in Lansdale.