Student joint build project a big success

Students creating a "bunkie" at West Ferris Secondary School. Photo provided.

Near North District School Board
News Release

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The Joint Build project was a huge success! Tuesday, fifty grade 8 students from M.T. Davidson Public School, Mapleridge Public School, Phelps Central School, Silver Birches Public School and W.J. Fricker Public School joined secondary students and staff, at both West Ferris Secondary School and Widdifield Secondary School, to participate in joint build construction projects.

The Near North District School Board is grateful to the Labour Market Group and Passport to Prosperity program for piloting this initiative in our schools. It provided an excellent experiential learning opportunity for the elementary and secondary students to develop the essential skills required for a successful career in the skilled trades through a fun and rewarding construction project.

"Events such as today's Joint Build project are examples of excellent opportunities to promote the many different pathways students can take to obtaining their high school diploma. Fostering excitement for life-long learning at this age is vital in continuing to develop a highly skilled workforce for tomorrow," said The Labour Market Group Acting Executive Director Andrea Stoppa.

Specialist High Skills Major Construction secondary students at West Ferris worked shoulder to shoulder with the Grade 8 students to build a bunkie – a small outdoor shed-sized structure that can be slept in. This project introduced students to the essential skills of measurement, safe use of power tools, and precision nailing.

Students participating at Widdifield Secondary School had the opportunity to build their own penny hockey game. Under the guidance the Specialist High Skills Major Construction staff and students, each Grade 8 student had an excellent time hammering, cutting, drilling, and gluing the various materials together to construct the project.

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