Students in the High School Carpentry Apprenticeship Program (HCAP) at Mount Royal Collegiate have handed over the keys to a new house for the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. 

This is the sixth HCAP house to be provided to Whitecap through a partnership with the school division. Chief Darcy Bear from Whitecap Dakota First Nation received the keys to the house, which will become a home for a family on the First Nation.

The students have been building the house for several months and are involved in all aspects of construction with guidance from program staff and industry professionals from outside the school who contribute their time and expertise to the program and student learning.

In 2003, HCAP began as a pilot project at Bedford Road and Mount Royal collegiates. It has grown to become a city-wide program based out of Mount Royal that all public high school students can apply to attend. Upon completion of a semester with HCAP, students receive six high school credits and various industry certifications, along with several hours of hands-on experience in a number of home construction disciplines.