The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity offers a wide array of construction training.
For our General Volunteers (if you are NOT officially part of our Senior Crew) we offer training every build day as needed for all experience levels. The only requirement is the desire to learn and to help our Habitat families build their future.
For our Senior Crew (volunteers who commit to a regular schedule) volunteers we offer 101 and 201 level courses generally held during February/March of each year at our Education Center (classroom style) or Warehouse (hands-on style). Each course has detailed training plans, goals, tools and materials needed, quality points and more to ensure a complete learning opportunity.
Detailed “how to” information is available in our Construction Manual which is the core of our 201 training courses. All 201 level training held at our warehouse uses a 10’ x 16’ model training house where trainees can install interior and exterior doors, windows, siding, soffit, insulation and sheetrock. This off-site (non-production) training allows plenty of time for a combination of classroom and hands-on training, problem solving, and questions as we seek to provide a truly collaborative learning environment.
For our homeowners, we offer Construction Basics 101 to equip our newly approved homeowners for their first day on a build site. This course is offered multiple times per year (as new homeowners are approved) and is a combination of both classroom and hands-on styles. This course covers a broad range of topics including what a typical build day looks like, roles people play on the work site, how their house gets built (all the varying stages), hand and power usage (hands on) and safety, terminology, measuring basics (and practice) and more!
If you have any questions on this training program contact Construction Supervisor, Kevin Gostomski at (920) 205-1051 or via email at KevinG@FoxCitiesHabitat.org.
Category: Energy Efficiency
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the concepts and reasons why proper air sealing and insulation is so important to our homeowners now and in the future.
Category: Energy Efficiency
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the concepts and reasons why proper air sealing and insulation is so important to our homeowners now and in the future, as well as the basics of safely and effectively installing sheetrock.
Category: Finishing
Pre–Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to layout, cut and install base/floor trim.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to install the main support beam and posts, sill plates and layout floor joints.
Category: Layout
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to read and apply our standard blue prints on-site for the task at hand (cap foundation, wall layout, build components, truss layout, etc.).
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to prepare, layout and install cabinets, countertops and trim.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to install I-Joists and Deck sub-flooring.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: This is the final volunteer day on each build site. The main goal is to get the home ready for its Home Dedication and for the family to move in. Volunteers provide a thorough cleaning, help the homeowner finish the punch list, and address any remaining issues or incomplete tasks.
Category: General
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Help our homeowners to get comfortable and hit the ground running for their work site debut. This course will take you through the steps of a typical Habitat build, how a standard “work” day (including roles and structure) operates, site and tool safety (including hands-on use), along with basic construction and materials terminology.
Category: General
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: For new(er) Senior Crew members – This course is designed to give you an idea of what you’ve gotten yourself into by giving you a tour of our Habitat build process, how a typical “work” day (including roles and structure) operates, site and tool safety (including hands-on use), and basic construction concepts, materials, terminology. To top it off you will put all that knowledge to practice while building a shed that will be sent to a future home build project.
Category: Doors
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the “in’s and out’s” of installing exterior doors as well as how to recognize and resolve common installation issues.
Category: Doors
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to properly install exterior doors.
Category: Energy Efficiency
Pre-Requisite: Air Sealing & Insulation Installation (On-Site) OR Air Sealing, Insulation & Sheetrock Basics 201.
Description: Hosted by our Home Energy Performance consultants, this course will demonstrate an actual Home Energy Performance Test while allowing trainees to participate and observe testing techniques. This course will help you better understand how our Habitat homes compare to for-profit builders in the area and how we have improved Habitat home performance since 2008.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to install and trim interior doors while uncovering and solving a few cleverly hidden “traps”.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to properly install and trim interior doors.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Installing trusses, roof sheathing, and sub-fascia.
Category: Safety
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: How to properly check and use fall protection equipment. This training takes place on-site each day that fall protection equipment is used.
Category: Safety
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: How to properly check and use fall protection equipment.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to properly and effectively install ceiling wall sheet rock.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to dress up a home’s exterior and how to make sure it can endure Wisconsin’s temperature and weather extremes for many years to come.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to properly install siding and related trim.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Understand the basics of siding layout and preparation for siding.
Category: Leadership
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: A document outlining all tasks in detail is provided. New site support volunteers can also shadow a current volunteer.
Category: Leadership
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Shadowing and mentoring program designed to encourage and grow Senior Crew mentors into Leadership roles.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the basics of metal working (e.g. bending, cutting, shaping), installation of soffit and trim, and the fine art of “finishing” well.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to install soffit and fascia.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to cut and install stair skirting, treads and risers, and hand railing
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to calculate and accurately layout, cut, and install stair stringers and temporary stair treads.
Category: Tools
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Lean how to do basic Paslode nail gun trouble shooting.
Category: Safety
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Included in both Construction Basics course as well as on-site training for new users.
Category: General
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: At least one new home build per season is dedicated to training. This is primarily designed for training new Senior Crew members on an actual build site that has extra days built into the schedule (nine extra days). It also serves existing crew members that want to learn or improve their skills in a specific area or task.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to layout and install basement flooring underlayment.
Category: Finishing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to layout and install vinyl flooring underlayment.
Category: Homeowner Support
Pre-Requisite: Minimum 1 year Senior Crew experience
Description: Shadow/mentoring program.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to build and install interior and exterior walls.
Category: Layout
Pre-Requisite: Blue Prints 101 & minimum 1 year Senior Crew experience
Description: Learn to apply your Blue Print 101 skills, as you delve into the world of wall layout terminology, concepts and practice.
Category: Layout
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to transfer blue print information to actual layout on interior and exterior walls.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the purpose and function of window and door components, how to use the component manual to properly cut and assemble components. The components built in this course will be used on a future build project. You will also learn how to properly and safely use the typical power tools used on a Habitat build site.
Category: Framing
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the purpose and function of window and door components, how to use the component manual to properly cut and assemble components.
Category: Windows
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn the “up’s and down’s” of window installation and why it’s not just the windows’ performance but proper installation that makes the difference.
Category: Windows
Pre-Requisite: N/A
Description: Learn how to properly install windows.
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