Students assist with latest Safety Village project
Several high school students have been getting hands-on experience and a headstart on their college educations during the current academic semester through a project at Niagara Safety Village in Welland.
Part of the School College
Work Initiative, more than 20 students from Notre Dame College School have been working on the latest address at the educational neighbourhood in Welland, building a ‘hospital’ at the site.
The team-taught program allows students to earn credits for high school as well as college simultaneously and part of the curriculum involved the build at the village, expected to be complete in the third week of June.
During the course, students develop an understanding of the numerous structural components and associated installation processes that combine to produce a typical residential or light commercial project.
Jennifer Pirosko, co-ordinator of student success and student achievement for the Niagara District Catholic School Board, said the collaboration with Niagara College is a great way for young minds to get their foot in the door and seriously consider where they will be headed after graduation.
“They’re better prepared for the transition to post-secondary,” she said at Niagara Safety Village on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s very rich in experiential learning,” she added.
Niagara College teacher Alex Lukas said the interest and passion the students have shown throughout the term is encouraging.
“It’s great to see these students come out and build something,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of young people willing to start in the trades anymore,” he said, also pointing out that some of the students have already indicated they will be pursuing a career in carpentry and construction technology after high school.
The build at Niagara Safety Village is financially supported by the Kiwanis clubs in St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls.
There are 19 buildings at Niagara Safety Village and five of them were erected by students from Centennial Secondary School.
Safety Village executive director Shirley Cordiner said she enjoys seeing the students feel rewarded for their hard work whenever a project is completed.
“The students take a lot of ownership and take a lot of pride in their work,” she said.