Students in Wakatipu High School's programme are developing valuable skills while helping to meet a growing need for the school and community. 

Designed as a pathway to help students explore careers in the construction industry, the TradeBase programme is a collaboration between WHS and Breen Construction that provides youth with the opportunity to showcase their skills to peers and teachers through hands-on experience with real-world applications.The course, supported by Breens Construction (& CLT) offers students a unique pathway to learn and potentially gain an apprenticeship, while also earning credits towards their NCEA and being able to keep their options open (eg University).

The 14 students enrolled in the programme are building a 69m², two-bedroom transportable home. Once completed, the unit would ideally expand rental housing opportunities for WHS staff to address the affordable housing crisis and support the school's effort to retain and attract talented staff invested in our community.

Prospective rent payments are intended to be directed to the Wakatipu High School Foundation, which continues to support student aspirations at WHS — ensuring that the home built by students ultimately gives back to the students who will come after them.

"What better way than having students building quality flats for staff to affordably live in, so that they can save (and with support from the WHSF and Roost or QLCHT) eventually move from rental to ownership in our community. We have all the pieces of the puzzle apart from the land to put the flat" said Oded Nathan, who sees the programme as an important investment in the future for youth and our community. 

If you have a lead on a space that could accommodate the less than 70m2 rental flat on their property, contact Oded to learn more. 

Check out the Otago Daily Times article to learn more about project and needs.