"In the past I've sent students out on work placements and they would spend the day at the end of a broom. Then I thought right, how could I give them a real building experience so they are learning skills that will actually help them get a good job? A relocatable house that the students build themselves seemed like the perfect solution.
"I approached Tumu ITM for credit on materials. When the house is sold off we will pay the bill and the school gets any leftover profit."
Ms Cowan said work on the house was a step up from home handywork and was more meaningful than building chairs and tables in a school carpentry class. The experience was also a step towards becoming a qualified builder, possibly on an apprenticeship programme.
Makoura College principal Tom Hullena said the links between industry and education - epitomised by the building project - were a key focus for the school. "In our community, students are not always well-connected to those in the mainstream world of work. This lack of connection more than anything else puts our students at a disadvantage when they are looking for jobs beyond school.
"We are changing that. By making connections with industry, we are trying to meet local employment needs by giving our students relevant understanding, knowledge, expectations, and skills," he said.
"This project with Tumu ITM is a step in the right direction and we are encouraged by the company's support and the impact it will have on our young people."
Tumu ITM Building Centre manager Bill Carter said the company was pleased to support students building a house as part of their study that opened doors to the construction and infrastructure industries and returned funds to the school.
"It is important we see young people as more employable after school and this means they need to learn on the job, outside of the classroom," he said.
Arthur Graves, Ministry of Education Youth Guarantee group manager said the scheme ensured better access to career opportunities for Makoura College students with a bent for building.
"We all need to work together in the interests of our young people, so that they get good jobs, or go on to worthwhile further training or study. We all want to make sure they have access to better opportunities," he said.
"This sort of collaboration between business and education will ensure school leavers are highly skilled and 'work ready'. Relevancy in education is crucial, and can only be achieved when industry are actively involved in supporting curriculum decisions.
