NBCC students build tiny home with big goal
After five and a half months of working in Arctic-like weather and shovelling copious amounts of snow, the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) trades students in Woodstock could finally present the blood, sweat, and tears they put into their project.
On Tuesday, April 29, students, teachers, staff, family, and friends celebrated the reveal of the finished tiny home project.
The build was a collaboration between the carpentry, plumbing, and electrical students, which gave future tradespeople real-world training and teamwork experience and provided technical and life skills.
'This wasn't just a construction project, it was a collaborative journey fueled by ideas and support and belief and experiential learning,' said Kirby Rushton, the Dean of Trades at NBCC in Woodstock.
The project began in January after Nigel Drake, the CEO of Drake Construction Limited and an alumnus of NBCC's carpentry program, approached carpentry instructors Greg Cleghorn and Courtney Libby. Drake wanted to give the students a 'whole build' experience in one semester while helping to address the housing crisis in Canada, even if it was in a small way.
The idea came to Drake while looking at his travel trailer.
'Many travel trailers are small and compact yet have everything to live comfortably. I have a travel trailer that has a good layout, which I thought would be adapted for the tiny home,' said Drake.
Shortly after speaking to Cleghorn and Libby, Drake made his way to Rushton's office to present the proposal. During this time, Drake's friend, Lawrence Litle, an experienced modular builder and former carpentry instructor at Woodstock High School, worked with Cleghorn on a set of plans.
After getting approval from Rushton and finishing the final plans, Drake shared them with the school's carpentry department. He said his main concerns were whether it could be built in one semester and stay affordable.
Drake and his wife, Carolyn, donated $50,000 to support the building. Jim Lawrence at Avondale Kitchens donated $6,000 along with kitchen cabinets, a bathroom vanity, upgraded features, and their installation, with a total value of $15,000.
With that financial support, the students could use their skills to create a fully functioning tiny home.
Cole Johnson is a graduate of the 2024–2025 Pre-Employment Carpentry Program. He says this project was an excellent way for him and his peers to learn the value of hard work.
'It's been a beautiful project, and I think we've all learned so much being able to be on the job site rather than in a classroom, and I think that's very important for a lot of students because we all come from different backgrounds,' said Johnson.
Ann Drennan is Vice President of Academic Innovation and Student Affairs at NBCC. She said the project highlights the growing demand for skilled trades professionals in New Brunswick.
Build Force Canada shows that 6,500 construction workers are expected to retire in the next ten years, and 4,700 are expected to enter.
'Projects like this tiny home showcase the skills, the dedication, and the real-world learning that happens every day at NBCC, earning learning that aims to close that skills gap in the province,' said Drennan.
Not only was this project a way for students to immerse themselves in a real working situation, but their finished work is contributing to the Woodstock community by offering an affordable home for someone to buy.
'It adds one more affordable home to our community when a time when the great need has never been greater,' said Drennan.
The tiny home is open for bidding and will continue until May 19 at 4:30 p.m. Information on the bidding process is available at
nbcc.ca/tinyhome
. The proceeds from the tiny home will go towards the next student build.
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