Northeast Technology Center takes pride in providing students with hands-on training similar to what they will experience in their careers. The students in the Construction Trades and Electrical Programs at NTC Afton are wrapping up construction on a house, and their training couldn’t be any more realistic.
“The students are responsible for completing all aspects of construction, from framing to finish out,” said Construction Trades Instructor Clint Siegrist. “They are under my supervision during the entire project.”
The 1,560 sq. ft. house has three bedrooms and two full baths. The main living space features a vaulted ceiling finished with clear coated knotty pine planks, and the cabinets are made of oak with birch interiors. The kitchen has an island bar that seats four, and the master bedroom includes a walk-in closet with a custom china cabinet in the dining area.
“This is an energy efficient home, but we’ve also gone to great lengths to make it attractive with details like oak trim and exterior can lights,” Siegrist said. “It’s plumbed, wired and includes a three and a half ton central heat and air unit, but whoever buys the house will need to install the flooring. That’s the only thing we don’t finish.”
Construction Trades students have been responsible for completing the most visible parts of the house, but the work of Keith Glenn’s Electrical students shouldn’t be overlooked. These students completely wire the house from the rough-in process – which includes laying out the electrical design of the home, drilling holes in studs, mounting device boxes and running Romex wiring – to the installation of breakers, receptacles, switches and lighting fixtures.
“The students practice their abilities in the lab, and then we perfect them at the house. Students understand that the house is being sold and must be as perfect as possible,” said Electrical Instructor Keith Glenn.
The home is completely electric and is wired for cable television and Internet. It features LED lighting in the main living and kitchen area, ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms, outdoor lighting and a 200 amp electrical panel.
“As the instructor, I supervise the students’ work, and I’m required to have a current Electrical Contracting License through the State of Oklahoma,” said Glenn. “I’m also required to attend National Electrical Code update classes every three years, so potential buyers can rest assured the electrical work is up to code.
The house will go up for auction on Saturday, May 6, and the campus Activity Fund Manager, Tina Pitcher, has a few bits of advice for potential buyers.
“Go to your bank and talk to them about what you are looking at buying. Get your finances together before the day of the auction,” Pitcher said. “I encourage interested buyers to take a morning or afternoon before the auction and come to the technology center to look at the house. The instructors, Mr. Siegrist or Mr. Glenn, will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.”
Aside from her role on the campus, Pitcher is also a past customer. She and her husband purchased a house from the technology center in 2002. In the years since their purchase, they’ve added an additional 1,000 sq. feet to the home to accommodate their growing family.
“We love the house, and it was a great experience,” said Pitcher. “The students do a great job and you get to put your own finishing touch by adding the flooring and maybe a different color to a wall or two before moving in.”
The live auction takes place at 9 a.m. on May 6 at the NTC Afton Campus. Bidding begins at $72,000, and the purchaser must pay 5% of the total purchase price on the day of sale. The full amount must be paid before the home can be moved. The buyer is responsible for moving expenses, and must relocate the home within 60 days of the purchase. Call 918-257-8324 for more information.
About Northeast Technology Center
Northeast Technology Center’s campuses are located in Afton, Kansas, Pryor and Claremore. Through its full-time daytime classes, short-term evening classes, and its business and industry services and training, NTC serves well over 34,000 patrons per year. For more information on any of the classes or training programs available, visit NTC’s website at www.netech.edu or call (918) 825-7040.
