A hands-on approach to learning about skilled trades

No two days are the same for Milaca High School seniors in Tony Vesledahl's building trades class.

That's why students like Kyle Kent, 18, enjoy it.

"We are always doing something new and different," Kent said.

And by the end of the school year, those new and different things Kent and 14 of his classmates are doing will come together to create a fully furnished 26-by-46-foot rambler house.

"They basically do everything," Vesledahl told the St. Cloud Times. "From the floor assembly to the roofing. All the framing, all the interior work and all the siding. They even help with the plumbing. They work on the entire house except for the (exterior house wrap) taping."

It's the hands-on style of teaching and the partnerships that Milaca High School has formed with area businesses that has sustained the program, allowing students to explore multiple opportunities in the construction trades.

"It would have been easy for the school to cut the program," said Chris Kotsmith, co-owner of Milaca Building Center. "Especially back in 2007 when they couldn't sell the house (the students built). But then they got creative and started pre-selling the houses. The school thought it was important to offer this type of education."

This education includes working closely with people like Jeff Brown, owner of Granite Ledge Electrical Contractors.

"We send a foreman and a project manager out for about six days," Brown said. "We work hand-in-hand with the students teaching them codes and techniques. We play more of a supervisory role and have them do the installation."

In most high school student building projects, Vesledahl said contractors like Brown would come in and do the work for the students. But at Milaca, students learn from and work alongside electricians, plumbers and heating installers.

"Some students may have taken this class twice," said Brown. "But for most it's their first experience."

During nearly a full week of electrical instruction, Brown works with the students on some of the basics such as lighting requirements and the spacing of outlets. He spends a significant amount of time on safety as well.

Vesledahl said after some in-class instruction, students are divided into groups and spend about four days roughing-in the house and the remaining two days wiring.

He said the plumbing portion of the build works the same way. Vesledahl said the school works closely with Dimar Plumbing for the two-day, hands-on lesson.

After most of the rougher interior work -- like insulation and drywall -- is completed with the house, Vesledahl's students turn their attention to some of the interior details such as cabinets, baseboards and trim work.

"Everything is custom built to fit the area," Vesledahl said.

Once the weather starts to warm up, students will be outside working on siding and putting the finishing touches on the home. And by mid-May, the students will be able to celebrate their accomplishments with an open house for parents, business owners, school officials and other community members.

Throughout the year-long class, students are graded on a participation point system. They are also responsible for creating a detailed portfolio of everything that was done, including photos -- taken on school tablets -- and an explanation of the process used to complete the task.

It's an achievement Vesledahl has witnessed nearly every year over his 17-year tenure with Milaca.

"My personal goal is to give the students a chance to explore all aspects of the trades," he said. "(Students) are academically driven to get that four-year degree. But that's not the avenue everyone takes. And it's nice to let these kids know that you don't have to go to school to get a good-paying career. You can make a great career out of any of the construction trades."

Senior Zack Korvela is still torn about what avenue he wants to pursue. The 19-year-old is enlisted in the Marines. But after the military, he is leaning toward a career in the trades.

"I'm stuck right now between an electrician or a framer," Korvela said.

But he said learning the basic construction trade skills Vesledahl teaches is important and something that can be carried throughout life.

"If an outlet is bad, you know how to fix it instead of paying someone to do it. You know how to shingle," Korvela said. "It's about learning how to do things (for yourself)."