High school students enrolled in Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs put their classroom learning into action this week at the Western Fair District. As part of the Level Up! Career Fair, students from three London-area schools teamed up with Fanshawe College and the London and District Construction Association (LDCA) to build temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
Under the guidance of Fanshawe faculty and LDCA mentors, students framed three eight-by-twelve-foot structures during the event. The initiative gave them hands-on training in the skilled trades while supporting a meaningful community cause.
“This partnership is a perfect example of how industry and education can come together to inspire the next generation of builders,” said Britney Hunter, Chair of Fanshawe’s Apprenticeship and Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator. “The trades are about teamwork, craftsmanship, and purpose. These students are learning all three while helping address a real community need.”
The project was facilitated through Fanshawe’s Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator, a space designed to connect learners to pathways in construction and other skilled trades. Hunter said the accelerator not only supports apprentices and college students but also provides resources for secondary students exploring trades-related careers.
Each shelter constructed during the event will later be transported to participating high schools, where SHSM students will complete the interiors, including bed and storage areas, before they’re donated to local organizations assisting people in need.
Mike Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the LDCA, said the partnership reflects the culture of giving that defines the construction industry.
“Construction gives to the community like nobody’s business,” Carter said. “We do it as part of the culture of construction, and this project gives young people a taste of that, seeing how their skills can make a difference.”
The Level Up! Career Fair runs through November 13 at the J-AAR Expo Centre (formerly The Agriplex) at the Western Fair District. The event showcased career paths in the skilled trades through interactive exhibits and offered mentorship opportunities with live demonstrations.
