CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Funded course provides opportunity to explore residential trades

The Introduction to Residential Installations course was hosted at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge in July and allowed 14 participants to try out carpentry as complete beginners. The group started with fundamental lessons in safety, before learning how to use a measuring tape and power tools and how to plan for every step of a project.

Over the two weeks, the carpentry students framed, dry-walled and added trim and flooring to a small practice build. They also built a small garden bench and shelf to take home. 

Part-time professor and course instructor Bill Gagne guided them through every step of the process. "They get accustomed to using the tools through repetition. They needed to get over the idea that everything needs to be perfect immediately. It's learning by doing," he said. 

Together with carpentry technologists Kelsie Brown and Chris Sine, Gagne ensured everyone was using the tools correctly, gave tips on how to do clean cuts with a mitre saw and was always available to answer questions or lend a helping hand. 

The course was made possible through funding from DeWalt and their Grow The Trades grant. DeWalt recently awarded almost $4 million to 166 grant recipients across North America, including Conestoga. The grant is used to buy equipment, provide training and boost awareness in the skilled trades. "Conestoga is extremely grateful to DeWalt and the Grow The Trades grant as well as their ongoing support that they provide the college and their commitment to advancing the skilled trades," said Suzanne Moyer, dean of the School of Trades & Apprenticeship. 

For Odessa Peters, it was a great opportunity to explore a future career in carpentry. "I have limited experience with tools. I sometimes work on cars, and my boyfriend and I live in an old house that needs a lot of upkeep, so having more practice with working with my hands is great," she said. "This is my gateway to see if I could be comfortable doing this full-time, how hard it is on my body." Eventually, she hopes to design sets for movies and shows.  

Many in the room had little to no experience in construction. Melonie Knight is currently working in healthcare while exploring other fields. While working with mitre saws intimidated her at first, she got more comfortable as time went on. "I always want to try a new skill."  

Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of skilled trades and apprenticeship training to serve industry needs and the growing community. Comprehensive programming includes a wide range of programs that provide pathways to employment in trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices. For more information, visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship.