How Precision Decks partners with local high school trade programs to shape tomorrow’s carpenters
Every year, Precision Decks opens its job sites to a high school student from a local trade program, not as an observer but as a working member of the crew. What started as a single experiment three years ago has become one of the most meaningful things we do.
Every year, Precision Decks opens its job sites to a high school student from a local trade program, not as an observer but as a working member of the crew. What started as a single experiment three years ago has become one of the most meaningful things we do.
YEARS RUNNING
FULL-TIME HIRES
LEAD CARPENTER DEVELOPED
These are not interns who made coffee and watched from the sidelines. Every co-op student who came through Precision Decks worked on live projects, followed professional standards, and left with real skills and real job offers.
Precision Decks coordinates its co-op program through two outstanding high school technical education institutions in Bucks County:
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT)
A premier career and technical education center offering hands-on trade programs to high school students across Bucks County.
Upper Bucks County Technical School
A rigorous high school technical program preparing students for high-demand skilled trades, including carpentry and construction.
Students arrive already grounded in carpentry fundamentals. What Precision Decks provides is the specialized layer on top of the real-world application of everything they have studied in class.
The most powerful proof of this program is not a brochure. It is a person. Here is how the journey unfolded:
Year 1
First high school co-op student placed with Precision Decks through MBIT. Four-month placement on active job sites throughout Bucks County.
Graduation
Student completes his high school trade program and receives a full-time offer from Precision Decks. He says yes.
Today
That same student who started as a high schooler is now one of Precision Decks’ Lead Carpenters, training others, running jobs, and upholding the standard.
June
A second co-op student is graduating. Precision Decks plans to offer him a full-time position as well.
“It has been an excellent way for us to find and train talented carpenters who are truly passionate about the profession.”
Rob Emmett
Deck construction is one of the most complete learning environments in carpentry. A high school student working with Precision Decks is not doing one thing repeatedly; they are rotating through a full range of real professional challenges:
Load paths, post placement, ledger attachment, and structural work from the ground up.
Decking boards, fascia, stair risers, and trim: the details customers see and touch every day.
How local codes in Bucks and Montgomery Counties translate from paper to practice on a real project.
Precision Decks’ proven, standardized building system is something only learned by working inside it.
No two backyards are the same. Critical thinking is required on every single project.
Expectations, communication, and worksite conduct the habits that define a long career.
“Since every project and design is unique, it encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.”
Rob Emmett
This is not a shadowing program. Co-op students are integrated directly into the Precision Decks crew.
Students
High school students enrolled in carpentry trade programs
Duration
Approximately 4 months per student
Placement
Active job sites across Bucks and Montgomery Counties
Supervision
Direct mentorship from experienced Precision Decks carpenters
Training Focus
Deck construction, building codes, finish work, and operational systems
Post-Program
Qualified graduates are considered for full-time positions
Schools Involved
MBIT and Upper Bucks County Technical School
Rob Emmett built Precision Decks on the belief that doing things the right way is the only way. The best materials. Proven practices. Deep specialization. Full transparency on costs.
When you hire Precision Decks, you are hiring a company that thought carefully enough about the future to start training the next lead carpenter straight out of high school before anyone else did.
Load paths, post placement, ledger attachment, and structural work from the ground up.
Consistent quality and efficiency, job after job.
Precision Decks builds decks and pergolas, nothing else. Full focus.
Full breakdown of materials and labor. No surprises.
A crew built to grow, with a pipeline of trained carpenters coming up through the program.
PA License #PA17446
Your deck is a high-end investment in your home and lifestyle. Don’t sign until you have the facts. We cut through the contractor fluff and guarantee transparency. Download our 5 Critical Red Flags now to ensure you secure a quality, guaranteed build.
Written by Precision Decks, your specialist builders in Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA.
