Brookstone Homes, Oconomowoc High School Partner To Build Interest In Construction Careers

October 30, 2007 - Construction, the nation’s largest single industry employer, is the only goods-producing sector in which employment is projected to grow, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Yet, America’s future workforce doesn’t seem interested. A new partnership between Brookstone Homes and Oconomowoc High School hopes to change that dynamic in South Central Wisconsin.

“In the next 5 years, the construction industry is projected to need more than 2.5 million new workers to keep up with demand. Brookstone Homes, as one of the companies that will need these skilled workers, encourages students to explore construction as a career path. There is no better way for students to master the skills necessary to succeed in this industry than to give them the opportunity to build a home," says Casey Masterson, director of marketing for Brookstone Homes.

As part of Brookstone Homes’ “High School House" program, 12 senior students from Oconomowoc High School’s Industrial Education class will help build a 1,938 square foot Brookstone Home in one of the company’s single-family communities, The Preserve at Deer Creek in Ixonia, Wisc. Students will work three hours per day on school days from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. under the supervision of their teacher, Steve Olson, as well as Brookstone Homes' licensed contractors. Olson, whose class projects are usually on a much smaller scale, proposed the partnership.

"I can't imagine a better project for these kids. This has to be the best learning experience they've ever had," says Olson, who has wanted to provide a project of this scale to his students for over eight years.

The project home is the Nashotah model from Brookstone Homes, which consists of four bedrooms, two and a half baths on two stories. The first floor features a two-car garage, dining room, kitchen, great room, laundry and a half-bath. The second floor features four bedrooms and two full baths. Work has already begun on the project and is expected to conclude in mid-January 2008.

“This is a unique and innovative program for us," says Masterson. “We have a great group of eager young men participating this year and we hope they will all learn and become skilled in the many aspects of home construction." For insurance and safety reasons, students will not be completing certain aspects of the project themselves.

Once completed, the home will sell for $239,900. Plans are being developed to provide a special purchase offer to any Oconomowoc School District employee. Further details about that offer will be released at a later date. Furthermore, Brookstone Homes will provide an educational grant and summer internship opportunity to two students who plan to embark upon a career in construction.

Brookstone Homes was established in 1994 and has several great community locations throughout the Wisconsin area. Homebuyers can choose from more than 20 home plans, and then personalize their home by choosing any number of options. Brookstone Homes also offers buyers 24/7 access to information about their home’s progress. Each buyer is provided with a personalized Web site, called My New Home, where they can get the most current status of their home, view progress photos, and more. Brookstone Homes believes in being a good neighbor and giving back to the communities in which they are located. This project is just one of many philanthropic efforts sponsored by the company.