How the Program Works

Executive Embers works hand-in-hand with Greene County Career Center to create a true real-world learning environment where students don’t just practice skills—they apply them on meaningful projects.

“At Executive Embers, we’re not just building homes—we’re building futures. When students get the chance to work with real tools, real materials, and real expectations, they discover what they’re truly capable of. Watching them take pride in something they built with their own hands is what this partnership is all about.”

-Josh Briggs, Executive Embers CEO

We supply the materials, project planning, and professional guidance needed to build real tiny homes and transitional housing units. Students are then hired to participate in the builds, giving them paid, hands-on experience that mirrors the expectations of the construction and skilled trades industries.

From day one, students are involved in the full lifecycle of a project. They help with planning, framing, electrical work, finish carpentry, systems integration, and final detailing. They learn how to follow build schedules, meet quality standards, and work as part of a coordinated team—just like on a professional job site.

The learning extends beyond the build itself. Students have opportunities to attend trade shows and community events where finished homes are displayed. There, they see how products are presented, how customers engage, and how projects move from concept to sale. This exposure helps them understand the business side of construction, entrepreneurship, and customer relationships.

Along the way, students develop:

• Real job-site experience
• Trade-specific technical skills
• Teamwork and communication abilities
• Project accountability and pride in craftsmanship
• Confidence in professional environments

By the time a project is complete, students don’t just walk away with knowledge—they leave with experience they can put on a résumé, confidence in their abilities, and a clearer path toward a career in the trades.

For Executive Embers, every build is more than a structure.
It’s a classroom, a training ground, and a launchpad for the next generation of skilled professionals.

Student Journey

A Step-by-Step Path from Classroom to Career

1. Introduction & Orientation
Students from Greene County Career Center are introduced to Executive Embers projects, safety standards, and build objectives. They gain an understanding of how their work contributes to real housing solutions.

2. Paid, Hands-On Participation
Students are hired to work on active projects, giving them paid, real-world experience. This establishes accountability, professionalism, and job-site expectations early.

3. Skill Development on Real Builds
Students participate in framing, electrical, finish carpentry, insulation, systems integration, and interior finishes. They learn industry standards, code awareness, and quality control.

4. Team Collaboration & Project Management Exposure
Students work alongside instructors and professionals while following schedules, material plans, and build timelines. They learn how trades coordinate in real construction environments.

5. Trade Shows & Public Showcases
Completed homes are displayed at trade shows and community events. Students see how products are marketed, presented, and sold, gaining exposure to the business side of construction.

6. Career Readiness & Next Steps
Students leave with documented experience, references, and practical knowledge that supports employment, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurship in the skilled trades.

Meet The Builders!