Spring 2012 - Web - Nbed.nb.ca

Harrison Trimble
Construction
Trades Program
By Nancy Pipes
In 2004 Robert Brockbank, a journeyman carpenter and trades and technical
teacher, was teaching computers at HTHS. Robert became friends with
Richard Kitchen, a journeyman mechanic, and also a trades and tech teacher,
who was at the time teaching Co-op. Through numerous discussions they
came to the conclusion that bussing students to BMHS to learn the trades
wasn’t working; Trimble should have its own construction program. Their vision
resulted in the creation of the Construction Trades program at HTHS, the only
program of its kind in NB.
In consulting with contacts in the local industry, Robert and Dick designed
the program to encompass construction trades, carpentry, electrical, plumbing,
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and masonry. They knew the initial start-up
costs would be reasonable as they would not require a lot of expensive equipment
to launch the program, so Dick worked on getting funding while Rob developed
the curriculum. They secured a commitment from Norval McConnell, the principal
at the time, and the course was then approved as a local option, but they had no
suitable facility in which to teach the course. For the first two years Robert and
Dick taught Construction Trades at Lewisville and MacNaughton, using their shop
and outdoor facilities. Once the new gym was completed at HTHS, the space that
had been used as a lower gym became available for the new Trades program, and
renovations were soon underway.
The District converted the lower gym space, creating a spacious, well- equipped
shop and providing the necessary upgrades to the ventilation, electrical, and fire
safety systems. Start-up funding came from the Department of Education, the
Department of Advanced Training and Employment, a grant from District 2, as
well as support from the Moncton NE Construction Association (which is made
up of local trades).
Now, HTHS students interested in skilled trades are encouraged to take
the grade 10 Introduction to Applied Technology course, which gives them a
foundation in electrical, carpentry and the essential skills utilized in the skilled
trades. Twenty successful students then apply for the Grade 11 Construction
program which is a 4 credit course held each afternoon for a full school year.
They build a 5 unit motel in the Construction shop, doing the carpentry, electrical
wiring, plumbing, drywall, tiling, windows and doors, and interior and exterior
finishing. At the end of April every year, the motel is dismantled and recycled into
garden sheds, which are then sold in the community; the proceeds are invested
back into the program. By building the sheds students learn roofing, siding, and
exterior finishing, and are also involved in loading, delivering and setting up the
sheds - some of which are also wired for electricity.
Robert makes the point that without the sale of the sheds, the program could
no longer exist, as there is no provincial funding available for ‘consumables’ in
courses such as the Trades and other specialty programs. In grade 12, students
do one or two co-op placements in the trade of their choice. Only Construction Trades
students are permitted to take two Co-op courses. The placements often lead to
full-time employment and/or apprenticeships after graduation. Graduates also often
go to study civil engineering or skilled trades at the community college level.
Robert is very proud of this program because of the success of the kids
who take it, “this program is working!”. It provides a new opportunity for skills
development as well as fills the niche for tactile/kinesthetic learners who
want/need more out of their high school program.
With the recently announced shipbuilding contract in Halifax and opportunities
in construction all over the Maritimes and out west, right now the future for
students learning skilled trades is looking very positive. Robert also points out
that the kids who complete the program have an enriched life; they now have a
variety of skills necessary to have a more complete, satisfying, independent life.
Dick Kitchen retired from HTHS in 2007 but still takes an active interest in the
program and is an educational consultant with the NE Construction Association.
Robert has made presentations about Construction Trades to PEI and NS, but
at this time the Harrison Trimble Construction Trades program is the only one of
its kind in NB.
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