February is Career and Technical Education Month. This is a great opportunity to highlight career and technical education in the state of Utah and particularly at Utah Valley State College.
The college has rapidly broadened its mission during the past year as it transitions to Utah Valley University. In this transition process one question is constantly asked, "Is Utah Valley State College abandoning its roots of career and technical education?"
I respond strongly and resoundingly, "No." Utah Valley State College remains the second-largest provider of CTE in the state of Utah. UVSC trails only Salt Lake Community College in the number of CTE students in the state of Utah. In fact, the majority of CTE students — 75 percent — are trained at Salt Lake Community College, UVSC and Weber State University. The Utah College of Applied Technology provides only 6 percent of the CTE training in the state. UVSC's student population is composed of 21 percent career and technical students. This represents 11,831 adults and 3,350 high school students.
The CTE program at Utah Valley State College remains strong and continues to evolve as it provides a trained work force to the marketplace. This means that UVSC is constantly adding programs as well as eliminating programs as the marketplace demands. UVSC in the past year has received approval for new programs in mechatronics and developed the new Clyde Institute of Construction Management. Similarly, we have transferred to the Mountainlands Applied Technology College programs in welding and professional driving.
UVSC has a long tradition of being one of the strongest CTE providers in the nation. Annually, the school competes in the national Skills USA competition where UVSC has finished first or second in the country in the number of medals won by a single institution. This past year, UVSC won seven gold, three silver and four bronze medals. We continually have high pass rates on licensure and certification examinations. The Utah Foundation found that UVSC graduates had some of the highest salaries and placements in the state of Utah.
UVSC has been a leader in developing a partnership model with Mountainlands Applied Technology College. It has provided the credit-bearing courses and degrees while MATC has conducted the noncredit courses and certificates as well as provided open entry and open exit courses. UVSC and MATC have teamed together to provide apprenticeship opportunities for Utah trades. These programs assess the interests of the students and then place them in a program which fits their needs. If a student is intending to continue his or her education by seeking an associate or bachelor's degree, he or she is funneled into a college credit program. If the student is seeking a journeyman's license or certification, the student is directed to MATC.
The main priority of Utah Valley State College is ensuring the workforce and education needs of the region are being met by higher education. This requires a deliberate education plan coordinated by UVSC and MATC, which provides the training needs of Utah, Wasatch, Summit and Juab counties.
William A. Sederburg is the president of Utah Valley State College.