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  L-R: Pickering HS students Liam Reed and Colby Bell gained hands-on construction experience during the Habitat for Humanity Build Day.
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  L-R: Pickering HS students Gracie Lowes and Justin Bouwmeister put their construction skills to the test on May 29th.

Students in the SHSM program at Pickering HS put on hard hats and got their hands dirty for a good cause

On May 29^th, students in Grades 11 and 12 in the Construction Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) program at Pickering High School teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Durham Region to participate in a Build Day. This is the second year that Pickering HS students in the SHSM program have participated in a Build Day, and plans for next year have already begun.

Habitat for Humanity is currently in the process of constructing a block of four townhomes located at 372 Centre Street in Oshawa. Students embraced the jobsite conditions and got their hands dirty.

Pickering HS student Zachary Vrantsidis explains why the Build Day is significant to him, “Today has been really valuable to me because I’ve learned what Habitat for Humanity is all about. While working with friends, we’ve put in cross beams that hold together the trusses. It’s been a great day so far.”

Greg Saunders, Technological Education Teacher at Pickering HS, says that this is the second year that students have partnered with Habitat for Humanity, “During our first Build Day we installed railings and balusters on the rear decks of four townhomes.”

Jennifer Parrington, SHSM & Technological Education Facilitator at the Durham District School Board (DDSB) says they accomplished even more this time around, “This year we participated in installing some floor joists, joist bridging, and safety railings on a second floor. They also got to experience the rigours of a muddy jobsite, sticky work boots, and the weight of sheet goods (any building material that can be purchased as large sheets, such as plywood or drywall)!”

Students in Grade 12 who participated last year were proud to see that their craftsmanship is still standing and meeting the requirements.

Parrington adds that the purpose of involving students in a Build Day is to allow them to gain hands-on experience at a genuine construction site, “This gives students the opportunity to give back to their community using skills they are developing in construction classes and through the SHSM program. Students become engaged in philanthropy, social justice, and charity while getting hands-on experience in their SHSM industry sector.”