Barns by Country Woodshed  has developed a four phase apprenticeship program for interested teenagers, where they gain  expert building skills. In  phase one, high school students  are paid minimum wage and trained by either Tom Brown (president), or Jeff Buckner.  Phase two goes through the first summer of employment, with a wage increase, and more decision making in tasks of their own.  The next summer brings phase three - finish work.  Phase four - they build a barn on their own! 

In the Barns by Country Woodshed  program, students learn tool safety, care of tools, how to layout a building, basic philosophy of building engineering, engineering mathematics, framing, strengths and weaknesses of barn construction, customer relationships, vehicle safety, loading and unloading equipment, ordering and accepting materials, organization of a work site and nailing procedures and techniques.

Applicants must be 17 or older, have a ranch, farm or 4-H background, possess a construction aptitude, be in school or working towards a GED, have references from other jobs, show evidence of a project they have done, have their own transportation, be in good physical condition with no physical handicaps, possess good math skills and have a goal in life of becoming a tradesman.  Those under 18 must have their parent's permission.  The program has a two phase trial period:  One is two weeks long and the second is four weeks.  At the end of each phase, it is determined if the trainee has what it takes to continue the program. .   For more information please call Barns by Country Woodshed!