In November 2018, our founding partner David sat down with a group of high school students who were learning to build houses. Not learning about building houses. Actually building them.
For those who don’t know, the Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation (CTF) has been running since 1976. Every year, students design and construct a real house from the ground up, then put it on the market. CTF has been running since 1976, and we’ve been part of it since 2019, donating materials each year. This year we covered the roof, siding, and windows.
Are the kids knuckleheads sometimes? Sure. They’re teenagers learning a trade. But that’s kind of the point. You don’t get good at this stuff by watching a YouTube video. You get good at it by doing it wrong a few times with someone patient enough to show you the right way.
As David puts it: “In a world where everyone is obsessed with technology and with four year degrees, it’s fantastic to see a program that’s focused on real world work experience and training.”
They just finished their 44th house. We’re proud to have been part of it.
If you’re in the trades and looking for a program worth supporting, CTF is the real deal.
