Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic continue partnership to build five houses in five years
June 5, 2018 – In April Saskatchewan Polytechnic carpentry students started construction on fourth Habitat for Humanity home. Last month Level 2 Carpenter apprentices completed the framing and exterior finish of the house as part of their technical training.
In February 2015, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, signed a memorandum of agreement for carpentry students to build five houses in five years. Under the five-year plan, the students will frame houses and install windows, exterior doors, siding, soffits and shingles.
“Prince Albert Habitat for humanity is happy to celebrate the start of another great partner build. Saskatchewan Polytechnic has been putting their carpentry apprentices to work for four builds now, which has proven to be a tremendous benefit to Habitat and the skill building for these students,” says Jan Thomas, executive director, Prince Albert Habitat for Humanity. “We are exceptionally grateful for the ongoing support of our provincial and federal government funding. Every year we seek to help more families than previous years, without this consistent government support we would struggle to meet our goals. These funds make a difference to our habitat partner families, and in this build, it also helps trades students gain vocational training to get good jobs in our province.”
“Our carpentry students work diligently over their short seven-week program to build a Habitat for Humanity home,” shares Dan Duperreault, School of Construction, associate dean. “This is great hands-on, practical experience for our students, allowing them to focus on applied learning during their training time. We are proud of our partnership and of the remarkable work Habitat for Humanity does in Prince Albert.”
Habitat for Humanity funds materials for the homes and is responsible for finishing the interior of the house, aided by the families that will live in the homes. This will be the fourth home built at Prince Albert campus and will later be moved to its permanent location for the recipient family.
The partnership has expanded from home building, to include construction of cabinetry and sheds for sale the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Prince Albert.
Every year more than 63,000 Canadians volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Canada, a non-profit organization that builds affordable homes for low-income families in some 300 communities across the country. Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, was founded in 1995 and has served over 28 families. In recent years, Habitat for Humanity has built on average six homes annually in Prince Albert.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a Polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.