Carpentry And Trade Skills

Overview

The Carpentry & Trade Skills (CATS) program gives students hands-on experience maintaining, repairing, and improving their school facility.

Students in this CTE serve as the building’s “maintenance and facilities department,” completing authentic work orders and learning valuable trade skills that build responsibility, problem-solving, and teamwork.

From fixing furniture and performing inspections to preparing spaces for events, CATS students make real, visible contributions to their school every single day.

Daily Activities

CATS students complete work orders that come directly from teachers and administrators. Their work directly impacts safety, cleanliness, and efficiency across the building.

Daily tasks include:

Performing classroom inspections (lights, desks, walls, floors, safety hazards).
Completing minor repairs (tightening bolts, fixing chairs, patching paint, hanging hooks or signage).
Maintaining tools and equipment in the CTE workshop.
Performing seasonal maintenance, such as checking HVAC filters, shoveling snow, salting walkways, and ensuring outdoor safety.
Assisting custodians and maintenance staff with larger projects when appropriate.
Setting up and tearing down for school events—including tables, displays, banners, and bleachers.
Collaborating with Manufacturing & Engineering on projects that require electrical, design, or fabrication support.

Students learn safe, efficient, and professional maintenance procedures that mirror real trade careers.

Student Job Roles

Manager – Assigns jobs from the daily work-order system, ensures safety procedures are followed, and reports completed tasks.
Assistant Manager – Maintains maintenance logs, organizes schedules, and checks quality of work.
Safety Manager – Conducts safety checks on tools, electrical cords, and emergency equipment.
Maintenance Technician – Performs daily repair and inspection duties.
Supply Clerk – Tracks materials, organizes the tool room, and requests restocks.

Curriculum & Skills Focus

CATS integrates the WV Career Exploration 0972 standards with Porter’s Academy’s Trade Skills and Facilities Maintenance Standards.

Core instructional areas include:

Safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) use
Basic hand and power tool operation
Measurement, leveling, and layout skills
Preventive maintenance and inspection procedures
Team communication and problem-solving
Career awareness in carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and general trades

CATS lessons align to real trade pathways, helping students understand the value of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and pride in work.

What Makes It Different

The CATS team doesn’t just “learn about” carpentry—they run the facility like a professional maintenance crew.

When a doorknob is loose, a chair breaks, or snow covers the walkway, it’s the CATS team that responds.

Students experience real accountability: their work directly affects the safety and functionality of their environment.

This hands-on learning environment gives middle schoolers exposure to trade skills years before most students have the opportunity, sparking interest in construction, engineering, and maintenance careers.