Job Corps students build structure over dog runs at PAWS Animal Shelter

Photos courtesy of Mike Hannon/Iroquois Job Corps Center: Iroquois Job Corps students in the Union Carpentry Training Program pose in front of a structure they built over the outdoor fenced in runs for the dogs. Instructor Robert Trautwein is seated at left in white hard hat.

ALBION – Construction trade students from Iroquois Job Corps Center have recently completed a project at PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

The students, all members of the Union Carpentry Training Program, logged 892.5 hours building a structure over the fenced-in runs for the dogs. They will be going back to build simple framing to support a roof, which will be completed by another contractor, according to Mark Bates, Career Technical Training Manager at Iroquois Job Corps.

This will basically be a “lean-to” type of structure connected to the existing building. All materials were provided by PAWS. Based on the weather, Bates estimates it will take approximately two weeks to complete the project.

This structure was built by students in the Union Carpentry Training Program at Iroquois Job Corps Center. Students will be returning to do other projects there.

Bates said he received a call from Donna Vanderlaan at PAWS, a not-for-profit organization, requesting assistance in constructing a structure over the outdoor fenced-in runs.

“The Iroquois construction team is working with PAWS to improve the shelter for the dogs waiting to be adopted,” said Mike Hannon, safety manager at Iroquois Job Corps Center. “It is a tremendous amount of work. The students have done such a nice job. We are all very proud of them for all their efforts to help.”

Robert Trautwein, carpentry instructor, said the PAWS shelter is finding more work for the Job Corps students and he is very pleased about it.

“People at the shelter treated our students wonderfully and they will be happy to return for another project,” Trautwein said.