Picture yourself in a brand new home in May 2016

Proposals are now being sought for 2015-2016 Southeast Technical Carpentry program home building project 

For home owners, building a brand new home is the opportunity to make a dream come true -- the American dream of owning a house built to their exact specifications. For students in Southeast Technical's carpentry program, building such a house becomes an opportunity to learn a valuable and rewarding trade. 

Every year the Carpentry Program students at Southeast Technical, and their instructor Ralph Roemer, build a house -- from ground breaking to final touches, including custom cabinetry. 

Proposals are being sought now for a project home to be built in the 2015-2016 academic year, with groundbreaking intended to occur no later than the last week of August 2015. 

For more information, or to submit a proposal, contact Ron Sellnau, Southeast Technical Dean of Business, Information, and Trade and Technologies ([email protected], 507-453-2738).

In Southeast Technical's carpentry program, students learn each step of the construction process, from reading a blueprint to building cabinets and everything in between. Working in the college carpentry lab as well as on-site, they gain hands-on experience in a real world environment. Just as they would on a commercial construction site, the students work side-by-side with skilled sub-contractors who are hired to grade the construction site, pour concrete, and install plumbing and electrical systems.

This year's students are working on a project home near Pickwick Mill, southeast of Winona. "While we can't provide an exact estimate as to the financial savings, the homeowners will reduce a substantial amount of the cost of labor by participating in the college's building project," says Ron Sellnau. "We expect a similar outcome for the future owners of our 2015-2016 home."

Not only is the program beneficial for homeowners, it's also a great benefit for the students who participate. "The future is bright for our graduates," says Ron Sellnau. "According to recent U.S. Department of Labor projections, employment of carpenters is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the housing market continues to improve, increased levels of new home building and remodeling activity will require more carpenters."     

To learn more about working with Southeast Technical to build your dream home, contact Ron Sellnau, ([email protected], 507-453-2738).