CFCC launches Live House Project to provide hands-on construction training
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Community College is launching a new workforce training initiative designed to give students hands-on experience building residential homes while preparing them for careers in the construction industry.
The college’s new Live House Project will begin in Fall 2026, allowing students to construct homes from the ground up through a multi-semester program designed to mirror real-world residential construction timelines and industry standards.
The first home will be built at CFCC’s North Campus over four academic semesters — Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027 and Fall 2027. College officials say the initiative is expected to expand, with plans to build two to three homes at a time through the program.
The inaugural home will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms and approximately 1,325 square feet of living space. It will also be constructed to withstand winds up to 130 miles per hour. Once completed, the home will be sold through a public auction.
“This project creates an unmatched learning environment for our students,” said CFCC President Jim Morton. “Students will gain real-world experience working together across multiple disciplines while contributing to a project that directly serves our community.”
The Live House Project will involve students and faculty from a broad range of academic and technical programs, emphasizing collaborative learning and industry-based training.
Programs participating in the project include Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology; Architectural Technology; AutoCAD and CAD Software; Carpentry; Construction Management; Electrical Apprenticeship; Electrical Systems Technology; Interior Design; Land Surveying; Landscaping and Gardening; Mechanical Engineering Technology; and Welding Technology.
College leaders say the project is designed to strengthen workforce development efforts by providing students with practical, real-world construction experience before entering the job market.
More information about the Live House Project and partnership opportunities is available through Cape Fear Community College.
