Madison County High School’s Construction Trades Program is delivering measurable results for students and employers by combining hands-on learning with direct workforce connections in high-demand skilled trades.
“Our Construction Trades program is a hands-on educational pathway that gives students real-world experience in the building trades while they’re still in high school,” said Hailey Vaught, Director of Career and Technical Education for Madison County Schools. “The program directly responds to workforce needs in our region, where skilled trades are in high demand, and it provides students with marketable skills whether they choose to enter the workforce or pursue further education.”
In 2022, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $487,500 to Madison County Schools to strengthen and expand its Construction Trades Programs. The funding supports tools and equipment, curriculum materials, student credentialing, and building supplies, and enabled the addition of three new Career and Technical Education curriculum areas: electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. These new offerings build on existing programs in architectural drafting, carpentry, core construction, and masonry, providing students with in-depth technical training and hands-on experience aligned with employer needs.
The district partners with local industrial, commercial, and residential construction and multi-trades services companies that offer expertise across carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical power line work. These partners provide classroom speakers, technical consultants, and training on industry-standard equipment, while also offering work-based learning experiences and potential employment opportunities for students.
“Graduates of our program are ready for entry-level positions with local contractors and construction firms, and many earn industry credentials that put them above the entry-level mark,” said Vaught. “Local construction companies actively recruit our students because they require less on-the-job training and adapt quickly to workplace expectations.”
That workforce impact is already clear.
“Four students in the most recent graduating class secured construction trades jobs prior to their graduation date, including a plumbing apprenticeship, two construction positions with local companies, and one position with a local paving and asphalt company,” said Vaught. “In addition, two graduates are continuing their education at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in the Construction Management program.”
Beyond job placement, the program is generating strong outcomes across credential attainment and employer engagement. Overall project outcomes include 290 students earning at least one industry or third-party certification, license, or other credential; 55 high school students completing CTE pathways in the funded area; and 19 secondary or post-secondary students participating in work-based learning experiences.
“In the past three years, 98 percent of our Construction Trades students have graduated with at least one industry-recognized credential,” said Vaught. “Students leave this program with multiple pathways available, including entering the workforce, pursuing apprenticeships, attending community college or a four-year university, or even starting their own businesses.”
Students are also applying their skills through projects that directly benefit the community. As part of an effort to address Madison County’s shortage of affordable housing, students built a three-bedroom home, with the sale prioritized for school staff before being listed publicly. The home went under contract on September 25, 2025, closed on October 30, 2025, and was purchased by a Madison County Schools staff member.
“With support from Golden LEAF, we were able to build our first stick-built home and sell it to a school employee, helping address the lack of affordable housing in our community,” said Vaught. “Housing is a major challenge in Madison County, and this project allows students to learn while also giving back.”
Vaught emphasized that Golden LEAF’s investment was transformative for the program’s long-term success.
“Golden LEAF funding took a good program and helped us turn it into an exceptional one,” she said. “This project would not have been possible without this funding. It allowed us to purchase materials, modernize equipment, and complete our first house.”
The Construction Trades Program is expected to graduate approximately 30 students each year, strengthening the local workforce while giving students the opportunity to build sustainable careers close to home. The long-term plan is to create a 10-home community with students in the Construction Trades Program. The sale of the homes keeps the project sustainable, said Vaught.
“What we’re building here isn’t just houses, it’s a workforce, a sense of community pride, and long-term opportunity for students,” said Vaught. “This program is about creating something lasting that benefits students, employers, and the entire community.”