Building Futures with Trades Education
Building the Future Through Trades Education
Since 1998, Habitat for Humanity of Wausau has partnered with local schools to provide students with hands-on experience in residential construction while helping create safe, affordable homes in Marathon County.
What began as a single partnership has grown into a long-standing community collaboration with schools including DC Everest Senior High School, Mosinee High School, and Merrill High School.
Through this unique program, students don’t just learn about construction — they help build real homes for local families.
Habitat for Humanity of Wausau serves as the licensed dwelling contractor for each home built through the Trades Education Program.
Habitat Wausau provides:
- Building plans
- Construction materials
- Project oversight and coordination
- Required subcontractors and inspections
- Final transportation and moving costs for the homes
Homes are constructed directly on school grounds throughout the school year.
Participating schools invest in:
- A construction build platform
- A skilled instructor
- Two class periods dedicated to construction trades education throughout the school year
This partnership allows students to experience the full process of residential construction in a real-world setting while learning from both educators and industry professionals.
Students gain valuable experience in:
- Framing
- General carpentry
- Interior finishing
- Tool and jobsite safety
- Teamwork and communication
- Problem-solving and leadership
For many students, the program becomes a pathway into careers in:
- Construction trades
- Apprenticeships
- Technical colleges
- Engineering and design fields
Students leave the program with practical skills, increased confidence, and experience working on projects that directly benefit their community.
Once completed, the homes are moved to their permanent locations where Habitat volunteers, community partners, and future homeowners work together to complete the final stages of construction before families purchase the homes through Habitat’s affordable homeownership program.
The Trades Education Program represents the best of community collaboration — schools, students, volunteers, businesses, and Habitat working together to build both affordable homes and the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
For more than 25 years, this program has:
- Helped build affordable homes for local families
- Provided hundreds of students with hands-on construction experience
- Strengthened local workforce development efforts
- Created meaningful partnerships between schools and the community
Habitat Wausau builds more than homes — we build futures.
What our partners are saying
D.C. Everest Area School District Said:
“The D.C. Everest District is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Wausau, an organization that provides our students with a unique and valuable hands-on experience in the construction trades. The opportunity to construct a Habitat for Humanity home not only gives our students an opportunity to explore their career interests and build critical skill sets but gives them a profound sense of pride when they realize they can make a positive impact on our community.”
Alex Forer, Owner of Larry Meyer Construction:
“When I hire one of the students, I know their teachers, I know what they’re learning. I know what they’re capable of. There is no other feasible way for these guys to get the kind of experience they do without the Habitat program.”
Aaron Hoffman, D.C. Everest Career and Technical Coordinator and son Drew, Construction Trades student
Aaron: “As the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for D.C. Everest, Aaron Hoffman commented that he’s enjoyed the tremendous partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Wausau for many years. “When my children were young, I would bring them to school on the day we move the home to its permanent location so they could watch the crane in action. This year, I am proud to say that my oldest son is in the class that is building this year’s home! I have no doubt the skills, experience, and industry-standard certifications he is earning in the class will help set him up for success in life! Thank you for your partnership!”
Drew: “This is a great program because it opens up doors to a variety of trades for students; everything from carpentry, electricians, plumbers, and even roofing. Students experience every aspect of building a house, which is useful in deciding on a future career.”
Students in D.C. Everest’s Construction Trades class begin work on Habitat Home #70.
