For the past several weeks, students at Chattanooga’s Construction Career Center have built and painted 16 dog houses for the pets and families at McKamey Animal Center.
"This is amazing. I don't have that kind of talent," says Heather Henley, representative of MAC. "They took one look at the materials and the plans, and now look what a great job they've done."
The Center provides construction classes for students from various Hamilton County schools; now, they've adopted McKamey as a special project. With donations of materials from local businesses like Sherwin Williams, Evans Lumber, and Home Depot, Principal Steven Lewis spearheaded the drive to make sure McKamey's dogs have a cool, comfortable shelter.
Lewis said, “I want my students to feel the full impact, the emotional attachment; understanding they’re doing something great and providing a home for a dog.”
Brainerd High senior Edilson Paz said, "They teach us to keep doing it until we get it right, and that’s a good lesson for us."
The students take great pride in their finished product and in knowing that their creations will do some good for the community. Central High senior Dalton Lewis said, “It feels good knowing I'm helping someone by attending this school and building a dog house.”
The doghouse project covers every aspect of building a structure from the ground up. And before you get the impression this is an "all-boys club", East Ridge senior Alexa Rodriguez, a self-described construction fan since early childhood, says the doors are open for young ladies too.
She said, “The industry is growing with so many opportunities, so girls should come here and pursue their dreams.”
The Construction Career Center says Associated General Contractors and New Blue construction are valuable partners, allowing students to earn their certificate in construction from Chattanooga State via dual enrollment. With the doghouse experience under these students' belts, it's one more step toward a well-paying, high-demand career immediately after graduation.
Principal Lewis said, “A hundred percent of the students who get through this program have a job offer when they finish. my goal is for them to finish the program and have multiple job offers in the field they want to go into.”
Partners in this project include:
- Hamilton County Schools
- AGC (Associated General Contractors)
- AIA Chattanooga
- New Blue Construction
- McKamey Animal Shelter
- Evans Lumber Company and Mill Works
- Sherwin-Williams
- Home Depot
The Construction Career Academy is the first school of its kind in the nation, attracting a lot of attention from educators who want to duplicate its success. In fact, enrollment will double next year from 70 to 140.
For more information, visit the Construction Career Center website.
