ROGERS, Ark. — A few Rogers Heritage High School students are working to build and sell a tiny home before the school year is up.
"This is a first time for us right here at Heritage," construction trades teacher Andy McClain said. "This is our first time to try the tiny homes ... They get exposure to every aspect of building — from the permitting stage all the way through the final steps — and then they get to participate the day of the sale."
It's a unique opportunity for students in the Rogers Public Schools system. This skill in particular is offered through Heritage's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program where students can earn industry certifications while in high school.
"When these guys leave, they'll have their [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] OSHA 10 card," McClain said. "That's money that any contractor won't have to spend on these kids. They'll come out with that."
Not only will employers be interested in the students who have OSHA training under their belt, but McClain said they are also looking for bilingual students.
"These guys will have the availability to go to work anywhere they want," he said.
Junior Connor Clark said the CTE program and, more specifically, the tiny house project have taught him and his classmates valuable life skills.
"You learn a lot of good life skills," Clark said. "I don't think half these kids knew how to read a tape measurer before this class last year."
Clark said he's grateful for the hands-on training opportunity that comes with this project.
"I think it's really cool being able to be able to go hands-on with making a house," Clark said.
The students have been working on the tiny home for the past two weeks. The building will be 12 feet by 24 feet with a sleeping loft, and the students are taking care of every last detail to hopefully have it complete by April.
"It's an opportunity to make mistakes, and you don't get fired. We make mistakes, we fix it, and they do," McClain said. "They wire it. They plumb it. We will actually build the cabinets, all the finished work, painting, exterior, everything. Once we finish, we hope to have a live auction."
The budget for the project was $25,000. When it's time to auction off the home, McClain said he's hoping to be able to repay the district for the money they put into the program if they sell over the budget price. As for the buyer, McClain hopes it goes to a good cause.
"The district has been very gracious to us and given us the seed money. We're hoping maybe some of our industry partners might step up and see an opportunity to help with some of the homeless problems we have or affordable housing," he said. "If not, I'm pretty sure that somebody will come in and buy this home. You'll be surprised how nice it'll look."
If you're interested in taking this class next year, any high school student in the Rogers Public Schools system can take this class.
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