Tiny House Community Development provides job-site experience for GTCC students

“Working with Tiny Homes provides excellent opportunities for students,” Sizemore said. “It gives them job site experience for installation. We can’t simulate this in a lab like we do in an actual house, so this gives students experience with a real house and a real job site. It’s practical experience.”

When Scott Jones, the executive director of Tiny House Community Development in Greensboro, approached Guilford Technical Community College in 2017 about helping with some construction of tiny homes, the college jumped at the opportunity.

“He came to see if we’d be interested in helping with plumbing electrical, HVAC, construction – the whole picture,” said Chris Sizemore, department chair of construction trades at GTCC. “It was an immediate yes.”

Since then, the college has been a key partner in the region’s tiny house movement, assisting with 25 homes and contributing over 400 hours over the past nine years.

“In 2017, the first project was carpentry (program students) building one tiny home on Causey Street (in Greensboro). You can’t miss it; the house is green to represent GTCC,” said Sizemore.

“Tiny House Community Development values its community partners, like GTCC and its students who provide mechanical installation for the tiny house giving the students opportunities for on-the-job experiences, while helping to create affordable, supportive, housing for local veterans experiencing homelessness,” said Scott Jones, executive director for the nonprofit.

That first home became the foundation for a partnership that has grown stronger. After the initial build, GTCC’s HVACR program stepped in to support the ongoing needs of the expanding tiny house communities.

“Since then, everything has been HVAC installs and occasionally we will help with HVAC service, too,” Sizemore said. “We’ve done multiple HVAC installs, which involves designing the system, duct work, and installing to code.”

The work also strengthens GTCC’s connection to the community. Students meet residents, see the impact of their skills, and contribute to projects that provide stability and pride for neighbors in need. “It helps the community, and it shows that GTCC cares,” Sizemore added.

While the community service aspect gives lasting life lessons to the students, it also offers real-world work experiences that contribute to their educational success at GTCC.

“Working with Tiny Homes provides excellent opportunities for students,” Sizemore said. “It gives them job site experience for installation. We can’t simulate this in a lab like we do in an actual house, so this gives students experience with a real house and a real job site. It’s practical experience.”

The students’ work over the years has been in both Greensboro and High Point.

“Just getting to know the residents has been fun,” said Sizemore. It’s good to let folks know that people out there do care about them. “The only way to Make Amazing Happen is to get out in the community!”