Fortis Electrical Trades Students & Habitat for Humanity Helping Others

Recognizing that people learn best by doing, Fortis Colleges and Institutes embrace an experiential learning process. Hands-on practical experience is an integral part of the electrical trades program at Fortis. And, as a career education provider, Fortis contributes to the communities it serves. Fortis campuses become good neighbors and helpful community partners. Both of those missions became a personal, hands-on experience for a group of electrical students and faculty from Fortis Institute in Forty Fort, Pa. The Electrical Trades program director, chief instructor and students offered their time, talents and expertise to Habitat for Humanity, which was overseeing construction of a home in nearby Edwardsville. The volunteers laid out the blueprint for the home’s electrical wiring and developed all the circuits. Then they installed the basic wiring, circuits, and light switches. Once the walls and ceilings go in, the Fortis team will come back and put in all the light fixtures, etc., making a valuable contribution to the family that is investing its own sweat equity into building the home. People helping people – isn’t that what it’s all about? But, the students quickly realized that, as they help, they also are being helped. This is their chance to take the theory and codes they’ve learned in the classroom and put their work in a real life situation. They have been given a terrific opportunity to immerse themselves in practical, hands-on learning. Electrical student Timothy Bozek explained, “I always love to get hands-on experience. It’s much better than just learning out of the book.” His program director echoed those thoughts. Now, every time these students pass this home they can look at the house and say, “Hey, I did that. I helped build that house!’’ That’s pretty cool. Through their volunteer work, the students are honing career skills on which they will depend for the rest of their lives. Maybe more important, they are learning – and practicing – the importance of doing something that will help their fellow man. That’s a real life lesson. As WBRE-TV news anchor Candice Kelly commented at the conclusion of a report about the Fortis-Habitat initiative: “What a great learning process for everyone who’s involved.” Indeed. Practical, hands-on learning opportunities that benefit both student and community – that’s the Fortis way. Follow this link to learn more about electrician training at Fortis. That’s the Fortis Difference.