the task. Starting with a “$400,000 grant from the state, we’ve built and sold nine of these great homes,” he says. Proceeds from the previous year’s sale go into funding next year’s house. And the homes fetch a premium. They are high-end, with unexpected details like timber-beam ceilings. “These houses would be considered custom homes if they were on bigger lots,” says Berger, adding that the last home sold for $237 per square foot. “It would have gone for $650 per square foot if it was in the Tri-Cities area.” The program also gives students real insight on what it takes to bring a project in—and if the construction trades are in fact a good fit. “They have to be consistent. It’s not like you turn in a term paper and you’re done,” Berger insists. “Rain, snow, mud or yuck, they have to be on the site. You can’t be a yo-yo.” Over the years, Columbia Basin Student Homebuilder Program students have actually gotten better at the job. “We used to pour the foundation and do the framing for these projects,” says Brent Pitney, owner of Knerr Construction and board member of Northeast Oregon Home Builders Association (NEOHBA is a longstanding partner with the program). “Now the students do the framing themselves. This year they called on us to unroll the roof tresses, and the kids were up there sheeting with us.” Pitney has nothing but praise for the CTE program, particularly when it comes to hiring the next generation of workers. “Finding employees is a constant struggle,” he says, “particularly with current workers getting long in the tooth. This program shows kids that construction is a great career.” Pitney does acknowledge that outside forces, like high interest rates, make building any new project that much harder to tackle. One element builders and learners in Eastern Oregon don’t have to worry about is land availability. The Columbia Basin Student Homebuilder Program presently owns enough land to keep the program running for more than 10 years. “And there’s plenty more available after that,” says Berger. The same cannot be said for Forest Grove’s Viking House. In fact, the program is in jeopardy — but not due to lack of interest. The longstanding program is very popular—so popular that 2020 saw 52 applicants competing for 16 available positions. “We had to institute a time/skills test to make admission fair,” reports program instructor Chris Higginbotham. And the homes they produce are as desirable as the chance to work on them. All Viking Houses are single-story and designed with discerning buyers in mind. “Everything is above and beyond code,” says Higginbotham. That means using advanced-framed exterior walls, duct work hidden in interior, conditioned spaces and high-efficiency heat pumps to maximize energy efficiency. Viking Houses are known for their craftsmanship, detailed finishes and upgrades. “Nothing is builder basic,” Higginbotham boasts. The homes even swept the awards categories in three different home shows. “Stone Bridge Homes NW invited us to participate. It was High school junior James Kolehmainen at work on the Viking House in Forest Grove “Finding employees is a constant struggle, particularly with current workers getting long in the tooth. This program shows kids that construction is a great career.” BRENT PITNEY, OWNER OF KNERR CONSTRUCTION AND BOARD MEMBER OF NORTHEAST OREGON HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION 37
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