Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit foundation established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business and professional community and Montgomery County Public Schools to promote and encourage the interests of career education related to construction. Students actively participate each year in the Young American Design/Build Project, and this year they’ve built their 43rd Young American home in Layhill (photos below courtesy of Councilmembers Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Kate Stewart).
The Construction Technology Programs consist of courses in:
- Electricity
- Masonry
- HVAC
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Principles of Architecture and CAD Technology
This unique experience brings together various specialized career education programs. Through the design and construction of a house, students gain the satisfaction of participating in a real-life project.
The Young American Student Design/Build House Project begins with the Annual Design Competition in which local architects, developers, and contractors review the house design plans submitted by students from Principles of Architecture and CAD Technology Program. Students enrolled in Construction Technology Programs then build the selected design. Upon completion, the house is dedicated at the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony where the public is invited to tour the house. The house is then placed on the market for sale.
Since the Foundation began in 1976, students in the program have been involved in the design and construction of 43 homes. They have built homes in Silver Spring, Rockville and also Bethesda. All proceeds from the sale of the Young American houses are returned to the program to cover the cost of additional land, land development, construction expenses, as well as the financing of student scholarships and awards.
The Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation Inc. has been the recipient of many awards for program excellence. Recently the program has been profiled both within the print and television media. It continues to be a support to other educational institutions that are starting or updating their programs.
Congrats to all the students, educators and who are part of the MoCo Students Construction Trades Foundation. Checkout this home they built! pic.twitter.com/nh2hCPanDC
— Councilmember Kate Stewart (she/her) (@cmkatestewart) May 23, 2023
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