Trident High School’s Allied Trades Training students have completed their latest major project – transforming a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house through a top-to-bottom renovation.

The approximately 145sqm home, which is now on the market, is the culmination of months of practical work by 12 students taking part in the school’s trades programme this year.

Most are year 12 students, with one in year 11, and the programme is now in its third year.

Head of careers at the school, Julie Ball said students earned credits towards a Level 2 Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills (BCATS) qualification while gaining hands-on experience in a range of trades, including building, plumbing, flooring, painting and kitchen installation.

Whakatāne builder Hamish Galloway, who has more than 30 years’ industry experience, has mentored students since the programme began.

He said this year’s project had gone well, with the students helping to create a modern, fully renovated home.

“To build a house like this from scratch would be around the $700,000 to $800,000 mark,” he said.

Enquiries over $300,000 are invited for the property, which features a stylish modern kitchen and bathrooms, including an en suite. The relocatable home also comes with a two-piece house move within 100km of Trident High School, subject to approvals and conditions.

Ball and Galloway said the programme had been life-changing for some students who had struggled in mainstream education.

One student, who had previously attended school very irregularly, had seen their attendance improve dramatically since becoming involved in the trades programme.

The pair were also full of praise for Arizto Real Estate agent Sharnika Dowthwaite, who has handled the property’s advertising and marketing free of charge and is waiving her commission.

“Sharnika has been our godsend,” said Ball.

Dowthwaite said she had provided the same support for last year’s project and intended to continue doing so.

“We don’t take any commission, and we use our contacts to get sponsorship from Trade Me, realestate.co.nz and OneRoof. They have donated advertising packages to the school.”

A mother of four sons, Dowthwaite said she believed the programme offered valuable opportunities for young people and wanted to help ensure it continued.

She said it was possible that one or more of her sons might take part in the programme when they attend Trident in coming years.

“One of them is probably going to get into trades, and it is such a cool project that the school is doing.

“I want it to continue. If I can help, then what a cool way to do that.”