UVSC is not abandoning its first mission

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.