FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCONOMOWOC, WI – August 31, 2017. The OHS Building Trades Program will hold a ceremonial ground breaking at 9:00 a.m. on September 5, 2017, at lot 62 in the Pine Ridge Estates subdivision. OHS Construction Trades Teacher, Steve Olson, OHS Building Trades students, Oconomowoc Area School District Superintendent, Roger Rindo, and Director of Construction at Tim O’Brien Homes, Craig North, will all attend the event.
Since 2008, Tim O’Brien Homes has partnered with the Oconomowoc High School (OHS) Building Trades III Class to provide a hands-on home building experience. This year, the class is helping to construct a new 2,000+ square foot home in the Pine Ridge Estates subdivision off Lisbon Road in Oconomowoc.
“We turned to Tim O’Brien a number of years ago, when we were looking for a new partner to provide the real world opportunities our kids need,” said Steve Olson, OHS Construction Trades teacher. “There is a reason why Tim O’Brien Homes is the largest Milwaukee-area home builder. Director of Construction, Craig North, is always asking, ‘how can we make this better,’ no matter what the project is.”
It’s a shared vision for training future tradesmen that brought the OHS Building Trades class and Tim O’Brien Homes together, nine years ago. “They know how important it is that kids who are interested in the trades get the learning experiences they need to make the right career choice for them,” said Olson.
One of the biggest takeaways that students write about in their end of term papers is that the experience is so real. In the process of building a home from “hole in the ground” to “home, sweet home,” students have a wide variety of opportunities to try out each part of the process: framing, concrete, masonry, finish carpentry, plumbing or siding. Students learn OSHA safety regulations as well as how to keep a job site clean, look after tools and equipment, and pick up tricks and tips from expert tradesmen. “We get the best of the best helping us out,” said Olson, of the various subcontractors that partner with the class as the build progresses. “I stress to the kids that we’re building someone’s home, not just a house,” said Olson. “What Tim gives back to our school, is awesome. He’s an amazing partner for us in this work,” he added.
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Photo:
Initial excavation of Lot 62 in the Pine Ridge Estates subdivision in Oconomowoc. Site of the new OHS Building Trades III and Tim O’Brien Homes 2017-18 school year building project.
