Stepper Homes raised $50 000 by building and selling a specially built home in Rocky Ridge and donated the proceeds to Bowness High School in 2002. This established our trades program.
Four years ago I was involved in the initial set up of the Stepper Trades Center of Excellence. The objectives focused on direct business involvement and participation with the school, educators and students. Through this direct involvement with the business community, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of construction trade areas.
Stepper Homes representatives and CBE Career Pathways representatives were invited to participate in the first official meeting in September of 2004, in what is now known as the “B.I.G” (Bowness Implementing Greatness) meeting. At the initial meeting the foundation of the partnership plan was discussed. These meetings continue to be held once a month at the school.
Who
The key people involved in the committee were:
- Dave Hooge, General Manager for Stepper Homes
- Scotty Pratt, Construction Manager for Stepper Homes
- Mary Posadowski, R.A.P (Registered Apprenticeship Program) Coordinator
- Dave Campbell, Design Studies & Construction teacher
- Don Penley, Career Pathways representative for CBE
- and last but not least, Tyna Readwin, Career Practitioner for Bowness High School.
What
The objectives of the initial meeting were to discuss and implement direction, participation, short and long term goals for the trade center, Stepper Homes partners, CBE and most importantly our students.
Why
The construction industry is concerned with the shortage of skilled trades and related areas. The construction industry is looking for an opportunity to form partnerships with schools that will promote and advance student awareness and competencies.
When
The initial investment of money from Stepper Homes came in 2002 and a program under the direction of Principal Philip Tuck was set in motion. The 2002 to 2004 school years were focused on the development of the physical shop space and curriculum alignment, which would support the direction of the partnership.
Where
The partnership is a shared responsibility. The school program provides students with the skills, confidence and efficiency required in most trade and industry areas. The business community allows students the opportunity to work on job sites, which are safe and caring environments.
How
Let me begin by saying that the school administration have been entirely supportive with the long term goals of this partnership. Without this ongoing support, the program could not have moved forward.
The first two years involved building a strong foundation for the partnership. A part of the old auto shop was converted into a construction site environment by trade's students in the two semesters of the 2002/03 school year.
The staff development B.I.G committee, including Dave Campbell and Paul Allard, worked to align curriculum from the introductory and intermediate Construction Technology Courses. The Trades Intermediate program is really where this exciting partnership has exceeded all expectations!
Beginning in February 2005, the first full class worked to put the short term goals into practice. At the end of the semester, four doghouses were donated to the Cochrane Humane Society and four students were placed in the summer program.
In September 2005, Richard Kalina, Program teacher, joined the Bowness team. Plans included the building of six doghouses and playhouses for Stepper homes in Tuscany or Rocky Ridge. Also, Construction Technology 1210 and 2210 are now on-line and offered through Bowness High School
Bowness High School’s partnership with Stepper Homes continues to be successful because of a consensus between industry and educators' assessed needs. These then form a common vision. The most important aspect of the partnership has been a strong commitment by the participants to make it happen.
Have a comment about this article? Want to write a letter to the editor or maybe an article yourself? Contact ataglance@ata38.ab.ca to find out more.
© January 2006, ATA Local #38 Calgary Public Teachers
