Carpentry course provides skills to build homes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/03/2005 (7536 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ONE of the greatest challenges facing the home building industry today is recruiting skilled tradespeople. Accordingly, the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association, in co-operation with Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, offers a Level 1 carpentry course accredited by the province.

The course involves 20 weeks of training, which includes classroom, shop and nine weeks of full-time, job site, hands-on training. Course content is designed to prepare participants for employment in the construction field, with an emphasis on residential home building.

There is also a job placement component where the Manitoba Residential Construction Training Institute Inc. (MRCTI), through its contacts within the residential construction industry, helps trainees gain employment.

The courses taught are many and varied, including basic shop drawings, blueprint reading, estimating and general framing. Because its focus is industry-driven, much of the curriculum goes well beyond Level 1 carpentry requirements.

Traditional course sizes are 20 students, who are exposed to as many skills as possible. Progress depends on the job-site projects available and the skills of individual students.

Over the past number of years, MRCTI students have contributed countless hours of work to housing initiatives by Lazarus Housing. Renovations have been undertaken on several inner-city homes and apartment suites, with labour value well in excess of $250,000.

“The labour contribution from this program has been critical in the restoration of numerous inner-city homes,” says Rev. Harry Lehotsky. “This program offers students an opportunity to hone their skills while ensuring many needy residents are given a hand up.”

Habitat For Humanity housing initiatives are legendary. MRCTI has also helped build dreams for new homeowners fortunate enough to be the beneficiaries of Habitat For Humanity’s homes.

“MHBA’s involvement in our initiatives underscores their commitment to ensuring affordable, quality housing,” says Ken Bishop, chief executive officer of Habitat. “They have been great supporters of ours.”

In addition to working with Habitat, the MHBA is sponsoring its past chairman, John Daniels, on his Cycle of Hope from Nashville, Tenn., to Winnipeg. The association initially had a target of $10,000, which it has already realized. As a result, we have set our target significantly higher and are honoured to support this worthy initiative.

Additional projects undertaken include extensive renovations to convert a home into a hospice for ALS patients and another into a 24-hour supported facility for Simaril Inc. for two women with developmental disabilities.

As well, the MHBA has supported renovations to Artbeat Studio, which provides studio space for healing and empowerment through art for an artist living with a mental illness.

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Thank you to the thousands of Winnipeggers and Manitobans who made this year’s Home Expressions — Manitoba’s Home & Garden Show an extraordinary success. The 31st annual event featured numerous new exhibitors with a particular emphasis on designer rooms.

We look forward to seeing you next March.

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The purchase of a new home is an exciting experience. It is critical that first-time purchasers, in particular, are knowledgeable about the purchase process.

The MHBA will be hosting a free seminar that will cover the following topics: the advantages of buying a new home; new home warranty; financing and legal considerations.

The seminar will be held at the Caboto Centre at 1055 Wilkes Ave. on April 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. I would urge anyone purchasing a new home to attend this event. For further information, please call 925-2560.

Garth Steek is president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association. This column is one of a series by the MHBA as part of its public education program.