Grab your hard hats and safety glasses! WSWHE BOCES, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga​, Warren and Washington Counties​, is holding a “groundbreaking” for the WSWHE BOCES Tiny House Project on ​Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 12pm at the F. Donald Myers Education Center located at 15 Henning Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The event kicks off the beginning of construction of the WSWHE BOCES Tiny House project, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, ​Warren and Washington Counties​, the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development System, the Saratoga Builders Association and Curtis Lumber. Career and Technical Education and Employment Training for Adult (ETA) students, as well as Habitat for Humanity and Saratoga Builders Association volunteers are working in collaboration to complete a fully functional tiny house, which will be presented to the community during the Washington County Fair in August and will officially be unveiled this fall at the 2019 Saratoga Showcase of Homes in September. The tiny house will feature the latest in building techniques and products, beautiful interiors, as well as high quality furnishings – all built by local students and volunteers! The partnership and project highlights the need for workers in the skilled trades in the area.

“The Tiny House Project is giving students opportunities to practice and refine their skills on a real life model,” says ​Nancy DeStefano, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs at WSWHE BOCES. “The ​multi program project allows students in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), welding and construction trades program, all, to gain valuable experience,” says DeStefano.

Adult students are also taking advantage of the project to re-train and gain new skills.

“We are so excited to be able to engage in partnerships that will enrich the workforce in our region, and provide both students and adult learners, the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the construction field, while working as a team,” says Dr. Turina Parker​ who heads up the ETA division of WSWHE BOCES. By day, CTE students in the high school program at the Saratoga Springs center work on the project. And by night, the tiny house is part of a new, 100-hour Residential construction course for adults, which is divided into four modules (25 hours each) that provides an introduction to the various stages of home building. Tuition assistance may be available for eligible, qualified individuals. Classes run through June 2019.

“The Tiny House Project exemplifies how collaboration can provide solutions to support our wonderful community. Bringing leaders from the public education system, private industry and non profits together is a great tool to tackle workforce development, bring focus to the need for affordable housing and to provide skills for the next generation to enter our dynamic and growing economy,” says Adam Feldman, Executive Director of ​Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga​, Warren and Washington Counties​.

WSWHE BOCES serves over 38,000 students of all ages and abilities in 31 rural and city/suburban districts, in a five-county region. The Career and Technical Education Division provides training to high school students who are interested in careers in such fields as automotive, carpentry, conservation and forestry, cosmetology, culinary, HVAC, horse care, horticulture, nursing and advanced technology. The Exceptional Learners Division provides a continuum of services for special needs students, including those with autism and social deficits, from Pre-K through age 21. School Support Services offers a range of services for districts including data analysis, technology support and communication and public relations services.