Mr. John Ely

"By the end, the students should be able to build this house," said John Ely, EWC construction technology instructor."They should also know how to build a home that is sustainable and energy efficient."Ely said the homes are certified Energy Star homes with in-floor heating and have air conditioning that includes 14 outlets, which allows the home to be more efficient in removing moisture from the air.The homes are placed north and south to take advantage of natural heating and cooling through the environment.The interior utilizes renewable materials throughout the construction process from the roof to the recycled cork floor.The spec home is tightly sealed and old air is removed and replaced with clean air numerous times during the day.In addition, the homes are built with five inches of Styrofoam insulation"This house won't make a person better but there is nothing in it that will cause an illness," Ely said.He said he believes its important for the students to learn about sustainability and renewable resources because that is what homeowners and builders will be focusing on in the future. The second home was built on a cement slab and is a three-bedroom with 1,650 square feet of space.The next project will include a full basement and a few other modifications.The first home sold for $150,000, although it was priced at $175,000.Ely said there were a number of reasons the home sold for a lower price including that it sold at the wrong time of the year.The learning process begins as students begin laying out the project.While the students are able to do most of the work, they aren't allowed to do electrical or plumbing, but Ely said they are allowed to assist the professionals in those areas.
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Ely said that in addition to EWC students, the college also has an articulation agreement with Chadron State College and through the Workforce Development office in Scottsbluff, which allows both to send students to EWC for training.He said the class is designed for students who might not necessarily be interested in college but want to learn enough about the construction business so they could go out as a second year apprentice and make somewhere between $12 to $16 an hour."They will leave here with skills that aren't already out there," Ely said."I'm training people, not competing in the market."

Bio for John Ely

Home Construction Consultant & Home Assessment, Construction Technology Instructor for Eastern Wyo. College

Education - Masters of Science in Occupational Education with emphasis in Administration (Central Washington University), Bachelor of Science (Southern Illinois University).

Noted for programs developed, John has been quoted in "Homes Across America" (homes-across-america.org); the Laramie newspaper "Boomerang"; the "Community College Weekly" issue of June 5, 2006; and the "Community College Times" issue of Aug 15, 2006.

John was Co-Owner and School Director for the Wind River Training LLC prior to inaugurating the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education program "Quick Start" for Laramie County Community College of Cheyenne, WY.John was awarded Master Instructor and is a Certified Warehousing and Distribution Specialist, and a Certified Manufacturing Specialist.He taught for Lowe's new Distribution Warehouse employee's job start-up.

In 2001 John became a certified trainer for the National Center for Construction Education and Research.He starting a Construction Tech Program using a federal grant to build "Sustainable" and Energy Star" homes at affordable prices.

#7 - Practical, Sustainable Home Building - John Ely, Home Consultant and Home Assessment, Construction Instructor, EWC, Torrington, WY

John Ely (Home Construction Consult and Home Assessment - Construction Technology Instructor)

John Ely Wind River Training, LLC School Director wrtraining@wyoming.com

John Ely, home construction consultant and home assessment/construction technology instructor at Eastern Wyoming College.Mr. Ely is an "Energy Star Builder" and will demonstrate how the "Energy Star" principles can help the average homebuilder.