GNH Lumber & Home brings the trades to elementary students

BKW Elementary School students getting involved in building their own toolbox with help from GNH Lumber & Home.
BKW Elementary School students getting involved in building their own toolbox with help from GNH Lumber & Home.

Recently, students at the elementary level received a welcome surprise from our community partners at GNH Lumber & Home. Elementary students sharpened their carpentry skillsets while receiving hands-on coaching to build their personal toolboxes. Not only was this a constructive project, but it allowed students to interact with GNH Lumber & Home representatives to learn more about the building trades and their impact on career pathways.

“This program is about more than just building a toolbox,” said John Ingalls, President of GNH Lumber & Home. “We want to plant the seeds of inspiration early on, showing students the possibilities within the building trades. These careers offer rewarding opportunities that combine creativity, problem-solving skills, and the satisfaction of seeing a project come to life.”

Elementary students continue to learn the invaluable opportunities that come from the trades industry.
Elementary students continue to learn the invaluable opportunities that come from the trades industry.

Throughout this collaborative session, students in grades five and six received age-appropriate instruction on essential building fundamentals, safe tool usage, and core construction concepts. Each event culminated with students putting their newfound knowledge to the test by constructing personalized wooden toolboxes with volunteer mentors from GNH Lumber & Home and Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School.

“Events like this help students understand the importance of the building trades,” shared BKW Elementary School Principal Landry. “The building trades are a critical component of our community and provide a hands-on experience that brings our students closer to the trades and in a memorable fashion.”

Stay tuned for additional news and updates on future developments in the trades industry and our students. A special thank you to Mr. Ingalls and the GNH Lumber & Home team.