Fort Walton Beach High School’s building trades program opened its doors Thursday to school district administrators, school board members and local business owners for an exclusive look at a student-built tiny house taking shape on campus.

• The showcase highlighted not just the ongoing construction project, but the breadth of a program training 127 students in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC systems and project management — skills that translate directly into careers addressing the region’s shortage of skilled tradespeople.

“Our building trades students are gaining real-world skills that directly translate into high-demand careers, and this tiny house project is a remarkable example of hands-on learning at its best,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers stated. “We are incredibly proud of the craftsmanship, teamwork and professionalism these students demonstrate every day.”

The tiny house represents the program’s first project of its kind. Building trades instructor James Martin, a former professional contractor, secured plans from a similar project completed by Okaloosa Technical College three years ago and modified the design to include a front porch.

Students began foundation work last school year using pressure-treated lumber resistant to moisture damage. This fall, they’ve framed exterior and interior walls and begun installing brown ZIP board sheathing on the outside. The next phases include roof installation, windows, doors and siding, with completion targeted for the 2026-27 school year.

• “Everything that you see out here, my students have done,” Martin said. “They have put the walls together, they have laid it out based on the blueprints, put the sheathing on. I just oversee it and make sure they’re doing it correctly.”

The program has evolved far beyond traditional shop class.

First-year students learn basic construction knowledge — identifying lumber dimensions, operating tools safely, using nail guns and tape measures. Many ninth-graders arrive without having used these tools before.

Second-year students study carpentry fundamentals including wall framing, house framing, masonry and concrete work. Third-year coursework covers HVAC, electrical systems, appliance maintenance and window and door installation — skills particularly valuable for condominium maintenance positions throughout the Florida Panhandle.

Fourth-year students learn electrical work: wiring outlets, switches and lights, pulling wire through walls, understanding breaker boxes and amperage requirements. Martin cited a 2024 graduate who combined the program’s electrical training with courses at Okaloosa Technical College and now works toward what Martin predicts will be business ownership within five to 10 years.

Fifth-year students study HVAC systems, learning why heat pumps rather than traditional heating systems suit Florida’s climate. Students must install and wire a donated heat pump in the shop, complete refrigeration piping and get the system operational as a final project.

• The program’s highest level is a capstone project requiring students to demonstrate leadership, project management and all previously learned skills. This year’s sixth-level student, Cayden Whitlock, is designing and executing a project while simultaneously earning HVAC certification.

“The capstone project is within the criteria from the state of Florida under what we call our standards,” Martin said. “The sixth-level student has to take a leadership role with other students, manage those students, design a project and perform all of the skills from carpentry safety, carpentry maintenance, electrical and HVAC.”

Most students who remain in the program through sophomore year will be able to complete similar construction projects independently after high school, Martin said.

The program serves students both full-time and in combination with Okaloosa Technical College courses. Some students attend OTC during morning periods and take building trades classes at Fort Walton Beach High in the afternoon, accommodating schedules that also include required English, math and science courses.

Demand exceeds capacity. At the school year’s start, an estimated 15 to 20 students who wanted to join the program couldn’t enroll. The program expanded from five to six class periods this year, adding 26 students, but still operates at maximum capacity with 26 to 28 students per period.

• “Our students have put their hearts, minds and incredible skill into this tiny house, and we are so proud of what they’ve accomplished,” said FWBHS Principal Lindsey Smith. “This project represents the very best of Fort Walton Beach High School: innovation, dedication and a commitment to high-quality career and technical education.”

As the program grows, Martin envisions expanded facilities that could accommodate more students and new technology. The current shop and portable classroom serve the program well, but a larger brick-and-mortar facility would create room for equipment like a CNC machine — technology used to manufacture modern cabinetry.

Students who learn CNC programming and cabinet assembly would likely secure jobs immediately upon graduation, he said.

“If I had students graduating that already know how to program a CNC machine but also know how to put cabinets together, I think they would have a job the day they graduated,” Martin said. “That’s something that we’re just not able to do because we don’t have room for a CNC machine.”

The tiny house will eventually be sold or auctioned after completion and inspection, with proceeds benefiting the program. The sale will likely include moving costs, which vary significantly based on location and whether state lines are crossed, requiring permits from multiple jurisdictions.

Thursday’s event also launched fundraising for the program’s project management team competing at the 2026 National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show in Orlando this February. The trip costs approximately $1,800 per student for four team members, covering travel, registration, competition materials and related expenses.

• “The students are going to learn more from that than I can ever teach them,” Martin said. “They’re going to be in front of judges that are going to be be bouncing questions off them.”

The program addresses a critical workforce need in Northwest Florida’s construction industry.

“We want the community to see that there’s a need for building trades,” Martin said. “AI’s not going to do everything and you’re going to have a hard time getting a plumber to come to your house, or an electrician to come do some wiring in your house. They’re just not there.”

Martin’s longer-term vision includes completing a new, larger facility before 2030 and he hopes to raise money for students to build the facility themselves, providing another real-world learning opportunity.

• “This tiny house is a true workforce-development project where our students are learning to become tomorrow’s skilled trades professionals,” Martin stated. “Seeing our district leadership and the business community walk through a home our students are building from the ground up and hearing their excitement about supporting our trip to Orlando means everything to these kids.”

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring the Orlando competition trip, donating materials or expressing interest in the completed tiny house can contact Martin at James.Martin@okaloosaschools.com.