North Port High School is pleased to introduce an innovative, new pilot program, known as CHOICE, this fall for Construction & Design Academy students interested in the high demand fields of construction technology, engineering or design. The pilot is being offered in collaboration with several industry partners including Construction Technology Careers, a pre-apprentice and award-winning program offered through the Suncoast Workforce Board, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, Habitat for Humanity, NCCER and the North Port Chamber of Commerce. In addition to earning their high school diplomas, students will complete rigorous certification through OSHA, first aid and NCCER guidelines. These students will also receive hands-on job experiences and mentoring through field trips, job shadowing, externships and integrated classroom presentations.

North Port High School CHOICE Instructor Bill Mousseau is certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) in construction technology curriculum and is approved by OSHA to teach the 10 and 30 hr certification classes in construction trades safety. He began his career as a building trades instructor and general contractor in New Hampshire.

As a building trades, automotive technology and welding instructor for the past six years, Mousseau has helped establish a rigorous and relevant construction trades curriculum, which will be expanded to include both architectural and interior design. In order to reinforce the curriculum and reach out to the community, Mousseau and North Port High construction technology students plan to build a home off campus with Habitat for Humanity as well as a house from start-to-finish on the high school grounds.