“Building a successful skilled trades program requires persistence, creativity, and strong relationships. Access to the right tools can transform learning, and students will rise to high expectations when given the opportunity.”

Adam Hewson teaches carpentry and electrical at Larned High School in Larned, Kansas. Holding a master’s degree in special education, he is a licensed general contractor who passed the International Code Council General Building Contractor (B) exam after building a successful roofing and real estate business. He channels that industry expertise directly back into the classroom, serving on the Larned City Contractors Board and the Build Up Kansas mentor board, providing a small, rural school perspective. Hewson offers dual credit pathways through Barton Community College and OSHA 10 credentials via Flint Hills Technical College.

Building the electrical program from scratch, Hewson secured key grant funding, equipment, and training boards aligned with NCCER standards to turn theory into active practice. His students recently designed and constructed a full community garden greenhouse, integrating carpentry and electrical skills such as framing, sheathing, circuitry, switches, and custom wood cabinets. Under his mentorship, his students have gained essential problem-solving abilities and learned jobsite safety rigor, resulting in Larned High School earning first place in Electrical Construction Wiring at the state SkillsUSA competition and advancing to the national competition.

Notes of Excellence

  • Business & Industry Alignment: The City of Larned partners directly with the program to coordinate civic builds, enabling students to construct local bus shelters, rebuild playground equipment, and install garden facilities like an equipment garage, restrooms, a bridge, and a greenhouse.
  • Key Program Impact: Focuses heavily on workforce credentials aligned with Kansas Department of Labor high-wage, high-demand careers, advancing student certifications in NCCER Core, Carpentry Level 1, Electrical Level 1, OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and CDL licensing.
  • Community Connection: Designed and built a multi-trade greenhouse for the community garden, combining carpentry, cabinetry, and electrical systems into a functional asset for local residents.