What is CTF?
Montgomery
County Students Construction Trades Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit foundation
established cooperatively by the Montgomery
County business and
professional community and Montgomery County Public Schools to promote and
encourage the interests of career education related to construction. Students
actively participate each year in the Young American Design/Build Project.
The
Construction Technology Programs consist of courses in:
- Electricity
- Masonry
- HVAC
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Principles of Architecture and CAD Technology
This unique experience brings together various specialized career education
programs. Through the design and construction of a house, students gain the
satisfaction of participating in a real-life project.
The Young
American Student Design/Build House Project begins with the Annual Design
Competition in which local architects, developers, and contractors review the
house design plans submitted by students from Principles of Architecture and
CAD Technology Program. Students enrolled in Construction Technology Programs
then build the selected design. A landscape design competition is conducted
through the Horticulture and Landscape/Nursery Management programs for the
eventual landscape installation. Interior design students are involved in
selecting materials and furnishings as well as decorating the rooms for the
Cornerstone Ceremony. Upon completion, the house is dedicated at the
Cornerstone Laying Ceremony where the public is invited to tour the house. The
house is then placed on the market for sale.
Since
the Foundation began in 1976, students in the program have been involved
in the design and construction of 38 homes. We have built homes in Silver Spring, Rockville and also Bethesda.
Our most recent 10-lot development is on Connecticut Avenue and Munsey Street in Silver
Spring.
All
proceeds from the sale of the Young American houses are returned to the program
to cover the cost of additional land, land development, construction expenses,
as well as the financing of student scholarships and awards.
The
Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation Inc. has been the
recipient of many awards for program excellence. Recently the program has been
profiled both within the print and television media. It continues to be a
support to other educational institutions that are starting or updating their
programs.