High school can definitely have its ups and downs. Not only the pressures of being in high school and crossing the finish line, but also what to do after? Take a year off and travel, go to University, get a fulltime job for a year until you figure out where the road will take you? This can be a make or break decision for someone in high school.
Preparing for the real world job market has always been the challenge. E.D. Feehan has a program that bridged the gap between young energetic skilled labour looking for employment and employers seeking engaged employees with a bit of experience that have the attitude to succeed. The Construction Technology course is that bridge! Here students build ready to move homes (RTM Homes) from the ground up over a school year and earn four class credit units that go towards their high school curriculum requirements.
How Superior Cabinets got involved?
An important part of the program is the selection and installation of kitchen cabinets that go into the homes. John Povhe – CFO, Superior Cabinets, contacted the program instructor Scott Hahn early in 2014 to discuss opportunities to expand the students education to include the cabinet/cupboard design, construction and installation process through a partnership with Superior Cabinets. The goal was to give the students exposure to Superior and future employment opportunities in addition to the hands on training. Instantly Scott was on board.
“It is kind of amazing. Every company we have asked to do any work with us, they have been more than happy to contribute and get their guys involved.” – SCOTT HAHN, E.D. FEEHAN HIGH SCHOOL – Quote from Living Spaces Magazine
In April 2014, Superior welcomed five participants in the program to Superior to work with our very own Kitchen Design Experts Cristin Emmerson and Louann Bell at the Superior Cabinets Headquarters in Saskatoon on a kitchen design for their latest home.
In May this same group of five students will be on site for a full week in the Superior manufacturing facility in Saskatoon to take part in all aspects of cabinet manufacturing.
“Much like the experience that the buyer of a new BMW can experience with seeing their car on the assembly line in Germany, these students will get to see their kitchen progress through the receiving, cutting, finishing, assembly, inspection and shipping processes.” – JOHN POVHE, CFO – SUPERIOR CABINETS
Lastly, in early June one of our installers will be at ED Feehan to assist the students with the installation process. We are excited to be a part of this fine program and see this as a first step to more involvement in the future.
For more reading on this great project, please check out “Construction Class Solves the Job Experience Dilemma” by Ashleigh Mattern featured in the Spring 2014 edition of Living Spaces Magazine.
