Kenton County Trades Clubs complete community projects through hands-on learning

Students participating in TradesNKY’s Kenton County middle school Trades Clubs put their skills to work this spring by completing projects that will benefit local families and community organizations.

Working alongside volunteers from industry partners throughout March, students from Summit View Academy, Twenhofel Middle School, Turkey Foot Middle School and Woodland Middle School built beds and outdoor benches as part of their after-school Trades Club experience. The projects gave students an opportunity to apply the construction skills they have been developing while demonstrating how careers in the skilled trades can make a lasting difference in their communities.

Students at Summit View Academy partnered with O’Rourke Wrecking, while students at Twenhofel Middle School worked alongside volunteers from Bray Construction Services to construct beds that were donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need. During the project, students measured, assembled and secured bed slats and side rails before combining them with the headboards they had completed during previous club sessions.

At Turkey Foot Middle School, students partnered with Valley Interior Systems to build outdoor benches that were donated to the Kenton Conservancy for use at Brushy Fork Nature Preserve. Students at Woodland Middle School collaborated with Turner Construction to build benches for the Kenton County Conservation District’s Morning View Heritage Area Conservation and Education Center, creating durable seating that will serve visitors for years to come.

The community projects provided students with valuable hands-on experience while reinforcing important trade skills, including measuring, material preparation, teamwork, problem-solving and safe tool use.

TradesNKY’s after-school Trades Clubs connect middle school students with local construction professionals and industry partners who volunteer their time to mentor students while introducing them to careers in the skilled trades. Through real-world projects like these, students gain confidence, develop practical skills and begin exploring career pathways that are essential to Northern Kentucky’s workforce.

The success of these community projects was made possible through the support of TradesNKY’s industry partners, including O’Rourke Wrecking, Bray Construction Services, Valley Interior Systems and Turner Construction. Their mentorship provided students with firsthand exposure to the construction industry while demonstrating the value of giving back through skilled trades.