An Indigenous skilled trades program has helped to reduce student absenteeism and raise awareness of careers in the skilled trades, while supporting local First Nation communities. The tiny homes program is operated through a partnership involving Lakehead Public Schools, Superior-Greenstone District School Board, and Indigenous community organizations. In it, students design and build fully functional small homes as part of their high school education. The program exposes students to careers in the skilled trades, helps them connect their work to meaningful outcomes in their communities, and gives them the opportunity to attain certifications and credentials while in high school. The organizers told Northern Ontario Business that the program has reduced absenteeism among some students, and that they hope to bring back program graduates as mentors for new students.
