Building the Future with Iowa Central's Carpentry Program

Public Information Office
9/26/2024

Students in the Iowa Central Community College Carpentry program are putting the finishing touches on a new home while taking the first steps to starting another new house. Iowa Central’s carpentry program has built numerous new homes in Fort Dodge over the years and continues to make an impact for the local housing market. “As a college, we have the opportunity to combine hands-on learning while meeting a need in our community, which is quality, affordable homes,” says Dr. Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College.

The home, which is located in the Williams Bend area, has given students an opportunity to learn about numerous aspects of construction. “Our students not only learn construction techniques such as framing, interior and exterior finishes, they also learn valuable soft skills,” points out Sone Chounthirath who is the program instructor. Grey Westerhoff of Fort Dodge chose the carpentry program to learn more about the trade but says he has gained other valuable skills. “In our program, we are also gaining skills on how to work with people, work as a team to accomplish a project, and communication,” notes Westerhoff.

Iowa Central’s carpentry program attracts students from all across the state, including Korina Sears of Burlington. “In high school, I took many of our hands-on programs including carpentry, and was president of our Skills USA club. I toured Iowa Central and was impressed with the opportunity to pursue my passion while also being on the swim team and participating in the theater program,” shares Sears. This fall, Sears will be one of the students on stage in the play in addition to providing technical help.

Carpentry is one of the many trade programs Iowa Central offers that will help meet workforce shortages in the region. Just in Iowa, there are over 200 job openings for people with carpentry  skills. The job market is expected to grow nearly 3% over the next few years. Jose Oropeza of Storm Lake is one of the students who plans to help meet the needs of the industry. “My dream is to have a crew that will work with general contractors to do the drywall work and concrete.” Oropeza came to Iowa Central with some experience in the industry already. “I worked construction this summer before coming to Iowa Central so I had a base of knowledge and now I am enjoying learning more in-depth. I like the process of a hands-on career with starting something and finishing it,” notes Oropeza.

Jordyn Rowley of Gowrie also takes pride in having a hand in starting and completing a construction project. She has worked with her dad on home renovations. “With my dad, we gutted our entire house and remodeled it. I learned about demolition and finishing work. The Iowa Central carpentry program is great because I am learning even more. I hope to have my own business one day.”

The Iowa Central carpentry house is 1581 square feet with three main floor bedrooms and two full bathrooms. There’s also a lower level with an additional bedroom. The home will be completed in October. To learn more about the Iowa Central carpentry program, go to www.iowacentral.edu