Hands-on Housing Projects at Montana Tech: Preparing Future Construction Professionals for Success

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Montana Tech students were hard at work on two housing projects at Highlands College as part of their education in the construction technology program. Two years ago, Tech received funding to support this program’s initiative to start building houses on campus. This initiative provides students with hands-on experience in a real-life lab setting while still in school, preparing them for the job market.

Rich Miller, a construction technology instructor at the school, explained that the program integrates everything they learn in the classroom, providing students with a full immersion experience. Students like Braydon Cetraro were seen reflecting on the roof of a construction trailer as he measured and marked wood, cutting batten strips using a sliding compound miter saw. In another area, Jack Gibson, Payton Gonser, Brendan Gallagher and Matthew Larson were working together to put up interior paint in one of the construction housing projects. Meanwhile Kevin Hanenburg was observed fastening batten strips to one of the construction housing projects to further contribute to the completion of the project.

Joseph Scheller, a photojournalist at the Montana Standard was there capturing these moments and can be reached at joseph.scheller@mtstandard.com for any inquiries. Stay connected with our local education coverage by subscribing to receive updates directly in your inbox.