Annual report: Skill and service
July 1, 2026Newaygo County Career-Tech Center
The 2025-2026 school year saw the end of an era at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center (NCCTC). For over a decade, students in the construction program have built camping cabins for Newaygo County parks. But with the last two cabins set for completion this spring, NCCTC received a grant from the Community Foundation to start something new.
Beginning this fall, they’re partnering with Hope 101 and Love INC to build tiny homes for local people facing housing insecurity. The collaboration will help more families find shelter while continuing to provide invaluable experience for NCCTC students.
“We’ve used mock-ups to fill in gaps of what the cabins didn’t give us, like drywall and cabinets,” said instructor Chris Aebig. “Now with the tiny homes, students will get to do it all for real. It’s more of what they’ll see in the residential construction world.”
The new partnership is the next chapter of NCCTC’s mission to not only teach students technical skills, but to build durable skills like perseverance and communication along with a greater connection to community.
“We embed service throughout our curriculum,” said Andy Melius, NCCTC principal. “Certainly the technical skills are important, but students are also learning skills like leadership and adaptability and providing a service to their community. They’re making a meaningful impact.”
