On a tour of Mountainland Technical College’s new Heber Valley Campus, President Clay Christensen had one resounding message: “We’re training people to go to work.” The campus, situated next to the new Deer Creek High School in Heber City, has been a major project decades in the making. Christensen said the college is meant to provide opportunities for learners ranging from high school to full adulthood. Some students are juniors in high school while others are as old as 82. Learning, Christensen said, is open to everyone.  “Once they cross the threshold here, they’re an MTECH student,” Christensen said. Mountainland Technical College’s new campus celebrated its ribbon cutting on Friday. The college is no-frills in the sense that there are no student union centers or large gathering places. Instead, Christensen said funding and taxpayer dollars are focused on providing the best learning environments possible.  He toured the welding center, where a mass of welding booths lines a large, warehouse-like room. Top-of-the-line machinery is centered in the space. Cars are hoisted up for work in the automotive division. There is a full-scale ambulance simulation in a room dedicated to medical learning. The cosmetology department is lined with hairstyling chairs, pedicure stations and more.  Each sector of learning is decked out with quality equipment. Part of that comes from partnerships. Christensen said Mountainland Technical College maintains strong connections with businesses like Larry H. Miller.  “Students are always using state-of-the-art equipment,” Christensen said, “because we’re able to partner with these businesses.” Mountainland Technical College also partners with the Wasatch County School District. School District and Mountainland Technical College board member Breanne Dedrickson said the opportunities are designed to enrich students’ lives and education but also to strengthen the workforce in Wasatch County.  “It’s so individualized,” Dedrickson said. Mountainland Technical College supporters and community members gather to celebrate the college’s new campus ribbon cutting on Friday. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record Some students want a certificate that will put them on a path to a successful career. Others use credits that build into an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a two-year or four-year university.  “I am most impressed with the quality of education and opportunity that MTECH offers, and excited to offer that to this community,” Dedrickson said.  She added that local partnerships have made opening the new campus possible. Right now, Mountainland Technical College students in the Heber Valley drive to the Lehi and Payson campuses. Students will be able to stay close to home with the new Heber Valley campus. “People realize these are crucial opportunities for kids, and we want to make sure it’s available in this part of the state,” Dedrickson said. The technical college is made up of about 70% high school graduates and adults and 30% high school students. There are 7,000 students across the entire region. There are about 1,200 students on waiting lists to enroll in programs.  “There’s a huge demand,” Christensen said.  In part, that’s because of the streamlined education-to-employment pathway Mountainland Technical College provides. Christensen said the college identifies high-employment areas for education. That includes trade skills and pink-collar jobs.  Students are streamlined on a path to employment from the moment they pay their $120 per credit tuition fees. Christensen said that partners like Larry H. Miller hire directly from the college’s programs. But there is a caveat. Christensen said students must complete their education and have a certificate in hand before leaving the program to accept a new job.  Students will receive certificates from the American Welding Society, for instance. That certificate is recognized across the world. Then, there’s the Automotive Society of Engineers approved program and other industry-certified certificates to be earned.  “That certificate is going to prepare them for employment,” Christensen said. “It’s very competitive to get into these programs.” Christensen said, depending upon the program, ranging in everything from healthcare to technology and dental work, about 90% of graduates find local jobs, boosting the nearby workforce.  There is actually a requirement for the college to help students find employment after they graduate or earn a certificate.  Mountainland Technical College’s Heber Valley campus is the sixth campus to open in the state. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park RecordThe technical college is made up of about 70% high school graduates and adults and 30% high school students. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park RecordPresident Clay Christensen said, depending upon the program, about 90% of graduates find local jobs. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record “We have to exceed the national standards for completion, licensure and placement,” Christensen said. “We can’t have somebody take our automotive program and go get a job at McDonald’s flipping burgers and have that count.” Their employment has to be within their field for study. And Mountainland Technical College tracks that. “We have a responsibility to help them find employment,” Christensen said.  Students fresh out of high school with no industry experience to those furthering their education later in life — Mountainland Technical College accepts them all.  Christensen, who is retiring next month after 44 years of working in education, said he is most proud of the growth and opportunities for students. About 20 years ago, Mountainland Technical College did not have such advanced facilities.  Now, Mountainland Technical College is recognized as having the most advanced and accelerated programs for students. Aside from quality education, most students graduate debt-free.  “It’s a generational change that changes families forever because there are good wages and good opportunities,” Christensen said.  He remembers one student who provided inspiration for others. That student is hearing-impaired and went through Mountainland Technical College’s diesel mechanics and commercial driver’s license programs.  “As a result of her involvement here and the experience she had because we provided interpreters for her to help, we have more students like her enrolled,” Christensen said. “We try to help every student that wants to excel.” Dedrickson, who is a principal at a private school in Wasatch County, remembers one student who was struggling to learn. He lacked motivation and did not appreciate school classroom environments. During his senior year, Dedrickson asked what he sought to do after graduation and found he wanted to work in the automotive industry.  That changed everything. Dedrickson suggested the program at Mountainland Technical College.  “It wasn’t me pushing him to graduate anymore. He was going to class, he was earning the credits because he loved what he was doing,” Dedrickson said.  For Dedrickson, one of the most impactful parts of the new campus opening is that students will bolster the workforce while staying in the Heber Valley. The boost that provides to students and the community, she said, is powerful. “We’re bringing that opportunity home,” Dedrickson said.  The post Mountainland Technical College opens new Heber Valley campus appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less