Penn Building Trades Program Gives Students Hands-On Construction Experience

Penn High School’s Building Trades program is once again giving students a hands-on opportunity to explore careers in the construction industry by building a house from the ground up.

Led by Les Crooks, the class allows students to work through nearly every stage of home construction, including framing, roofing, electrical work, plumbing, and finishing. Unlike many programs, Penn’s Building Trades students complete the majority of the work themselves.

“The mission of Building Trades is to give students an opportunity to see if they want to go into the construction industry,” Crooks said. “We give them a real-world situation where they actually build a house.”

Students say the experience goes far beyond learning technical skills. Teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are essential as students work together to meet deadlines and overcome challenges such as weather conditions and complex construction tasks.

The program also plays a role in preparing students for life after high school. With a growing demand for skilled trade workers, many students leave the program with industry knowledge, job connections, and practical experience.

Crooks says seeing students grow throughout the year is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“They come in not knowing how to build anything,” he said. “By the end of the year, they know how to work—and that’s something they carry with them wherever they go.”

As construction on this year’s home continues, Penn’s Building Trades program remains a powerful example of how hands-on education can open doors to real-world careers.

Stay tuned to the Penn News Network YouTube channel for a video package coming soon.