Avery Outreach School’s construction program is getting a boost with $12,000 worth of tools.
The School received a grant from the National Skills Competition that supplied them with saws, drills, sanders and everything the program will need to continue in the future.
Last year, the school introduced electrical classes to go with there construction classes already in place. Teacher Cory Gratton says the tools will allow more students the chance to enrol in the classes.
“It creates a lot of opportunities for our students. Now with the tool grant are able to do nearly any project that they’re interested in so we’re not limited by our resources anymore.”
Grade 12 Students Dawson Black says receiving the grant is a great feeling, especially for a smaller school.
“It’ll help because that way teachers won’t have to pay for more tools and that way we have all the equipment already.”
This year the students in the program have been working on a shed, which is almost complete. Gratton says there are a lot of students at the school hoping to pursue the trades and building a shed gives them an opportunity to work with their hands.
“A lot of what we have here at Avery is module based so students work individually on their courses and at their own pace so having something like this where they’re able to cooperate and work together and work with their hands is a unique experience for Avery students.”
The school has about 130 students, with 15 students taking the construction and electrical classes each semester.