Carpentry students at NHTI-Concord’s Community College have been honing their construction skills through community projects. This fall, the class volunteered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Habitat for Humanity.
“Our carpentry apprenticeship program has always required a monthly field trip, but these excursions were typically a visit to a construction site or business to learn about their operations,” said Kathy Taylor, director of workforce education at NHTI. “This fall’s class took a hands-on approach.”
In September the class participated in Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building beds for children who do not have them.
For October, they worked on a Habitat for Humanity project in Allenstown. They demolished a rotting deck and replaced it with a new landing at the home’s entrance. Students also replaced the windows in a trailer owned by an elderly woman who recently lost her husband.
“We needed to see the real world and to see how different life is for others,” said a student who participated in the Habitat for Humanity project. The class shared that the experience underscored why their work in construction matters.
Through these field trips, students are learning how to work with different personalities, collaborate with volunteers—including people of varying skill levels—and see real-world projects come together from start to finish.
The class is eager to continue these projects and has already planned a November trip with Habitat for Humanity to reframe and remodel a trailer bathroom in Loudon.
NHTI’s offers 1,000+ workforce education programs, including a hands-on carpentry apprenticeship program. Learn more about these offerings at nhti.edu/workforce.
NHTI-Concord’s Community College is committed to cultivating potential in every learner. Through more than 70 academic programs, we equip students with the skills and knowledge that power New Hampshire’s future. We deliver a comprehensive college experience—including on-campus housing, competitive athletic programs, and vibrant student clubs and organizations—that allow 4,600 students annually to advance in their careers and embrace lifelong learning. We are a proud member of the Community College System of New Hampshire, and have maintained accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1969.