Knowing his dad was proud was the icing on the cake for a Calgary high school student who helped to build a home in the city’s southwest.
Jack James High School student Austin Praestegaard, 17, jumped at the chance to construct a home with his classmates and Homes by Avi through a 10-year partnership with the homebuilding company.
“My dad does carpentry and what I want to do eventually is work with him at his business. So I was really happy he was impressed,” Praestegaard said.
Another student, Shaun Gravelle, 18, said he might go into the homebuilding industry after school.
“It was really fun to get a chance to learn some new things,” he said. “I really enjoyed it.”
A group of high school students got the chance to help build the Silverado home inside and out.
Homes by Avi construction manager Doug Beach said the partnership with the school provides both sides with invaluable experience.
“Really, we’re the lucky ones to work with these students and some of them will be the future of homebuilding, hopefully with our company,” Beach said.
“It’s great to work with them hands-on and be able to help guide them and expose them to the industry. There are so many different things they can do within the homebuilding industry.”
Profits from the house go back into the school program for future projects.
