Waterloo Region, ON – Students from St. Mary’s High School and Resurrection Catholic Secondary School have used their skills in the construction of an Empire Home at the Riverland Community in Breslau. Empire Communities -- Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association’s “Project of the Year” award-winner for 2008 -- is a recognized Green Builder in the Region.

The Home Build program is offered through the Experiential Learning Department of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. This five month, hands-on learning initiative is available to students in the Construction Co-op Program. Students experience community building through the formation of ties with industry professionals as they work in the rewarding field of the skilled trades.

To mark the completion of the semester a year end celebration will be held to recognize the efforts of all the individuals involved. The celebration will include the students, their parents, teachers, WCDSB staff, Empire Communities staff and the sub-trades who worked on this project with the students.

Year End Community Home Build Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2009 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Empire Communities Presentation Centre, 200 Woolwich St. S., Breslau
139 Dolman Street (Lot #90), Breslau

This partnership provides career direction for students by connecting them with the skilled trade industries. While earning credits for their work, the students also build on valuable skills that will last them a lifetime. This program is one of the initiatives that the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has instituted in order to alleviate the continued future shortages of skilled trades workers experienced within our local industry. The Conference Board of Canada has predicted a shortfall of more than 55,000 skilled workers in construction by 2015.