Weyerhaeuser Co. is teaming up with Lake Hamilton High School to offer a residential construction training program that will ultimately see students build a house from start to finish.

Weyerhaeuser donated $15,000 from its giving fund to get the project started.

The project consists of students building a small home throughout the school year, starting this fall. Local contractors will come in and work with the students, teaching them about each phase of the construction process.

At the end of the build, the home will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to the following year's build.

Stacy Walley, Weyerhaeuser sales manager, said the project will address several needs within the community such as skilled labor, affordable housing, and community engagement. It will focus on learning trades such as construction, electrical, plumbing and welding.

"This would be a great opportunity to get students interested and excited about careers in skilled trades," he said. "This could also help meet an affordable housing need in our communities."

Weyerhaeuser is also donating the lumber for the project from its sawmill in Dierks.

"The program will provide Lake Hamilton students opportunities to develop their skills building with high-quality, sustainable wood products," a news release said.

The students began by building 8-by-10-foot storage sheds this spring, before progressing to a small residential house this coming school year.

Under the supervision of Lake Hamilton shop instructor Greg Mundy, all construction will be done on the LHHS campus. The students' storage sheds will be sold to the public this summer to help fund the house project.

Walley noted not all students will attend college and this will offer them exposure to trades that are not only needed but high paying.

"Weyerhaeuser has been a strong corporate partner in our community for more than 50 years," The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce President Gary Troutman said.

"This collaboration is just the latest example of Weyerhaeuser's positive impact. Lake Hamilton is one of our leading high schools and does a great job preparing students for a variety of career paths, including construction. We see this partnership as a natural fit that will provide real-world training and experience for students and are excited to follow the progress."

Lake Hamilton School District Superintendent Shawn Higginbotham said in the release the district is honored to receive the grant and is excited about the collaboration.

"This program will provide our students with invaluable hands-on experiences in residential wood-based construction and expanded learning opportunities through our construction-technology courses and career pathways," he said.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Weyerhaeuser and are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have on our students and our school community."

According to the release, the two pillars of Weyerhaeuser's 3 by 30 Sustainability Ambitions are increasing the availability of quality housing and supporting rural communities. For more information, visit:

https://bit.ly/3X2pYr0

"The collaboration with Lake Hamilton High School supports both ambitions, introducing students to the benefits of building homes with sustainable, versatile and cost-effective wood products and growing educational opportunities that support development of the skilled workforce," it said.

Earlier this year, Weyerhaeuser announced a partnership with Be Pro Be Proud, an initiative led by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas to raise awareness among students for careers in the skilled workforce, including opportunities in the forest products industry.

Weyerhaeuser also participated in last month's spring Draft Day at Lake Hamilton.