Recent News
New WSU Degree benefits apprentices at Ogden-Weber Tech College
February 13, 2008
It has been a long time coming, but Nick Jenkins, a recent graduate of the machining apprenticeship program at Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College can finally receive an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. “The company I work for, Parker Hannifin, takes education very seriously,” stated Jenkins. “I have been taking all of the required courses for this degree, hoping it would be approved. I’m so excited to know the Board of Regents sees the value of the apprenticeship programs.”
The College has been working for over three years to secure a way for over 750 apprenticeship students to have access to an AAS degree. With the help of Weber State University, at their last meeting the Board of Regents approved an AAS degree for apprenticeship students in Northern Utah. In approving the degree, the Board of Regents identified this as a model for future AAS degree partnerships. The degree becomes effective Summer 2008.
“This degree means that journeyman electricians will be able to test for their masters electrician license in half the time,” said John Kristensen, electrical instructor at OWATC. “Without the degree they would be required to wait four years to test but with the degree they can test after only two years. That makes a significant difference in the salaries they can earn.”
This degree is a true partnership between the OWATC and WSU. Apprenticeship students completing their OWATC certificate can earn 40 of the required 63 hours needed for the degree. The remaining 23 hours are general education and support courses taken at WSU that will help apprenticeship students gain the skills necessary to assume leadership roles within their companies. Along with WSU, OWATC will begin to work with apprentice students to help those interested in the degree begin to meet the requirements.
“Over the past several years, apprenticeship students, employers, advisory team members, union and independent contractors, have continually supported the need for this degree,” stated James Taggart, V.P. of Instructional Services at the OWATC. “They have completed multiple surveys, sent in dozens of letters of support, and made numerous personal calls on our behalf.”
In talking about the new degree Taggart said, “We were fortunate to have a great partner in Weber State. They also recognized the critical need for apprentices in Northern Utah to have access to an associate degree and were willing to work with us in developing a degree proposal for the Board of Regents.
Like Jenkins, there are many other apprenticeship students that have been waiting for approval of the degree that can lead to higher pay and management opportunities. “Companies support those willing to further their education”, stated Jenkins. “I’ve been asked to sit on the apprenticeship steering committee and eventually fill a management position because I’m pursuing this degree.”
View the Apprenticeship to Associate of Applied Science Degree detailed information here.
Contact Information
| Ogden Weber Applied Technology College | ||
| Elsa Zweifel | Marketing Manager | 801-627-8389 zweifele@owatc.edu |
| James Taggart | Vice President, Instructional Services |
801-627-8307 taggartj@owatc.edu |
| Nick Jenkins | Machinist Apprentice |
801-389-8089 |
| John Kristensen | Electrical Instructor |
801-627-8483 kristensenj@owatc.edu |
| Weber State University | ||
| Andy Drake | Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Program | 801-626-7107 adrake2@weber.edu |
| John Kowalewski | University Communications | 801-626-7217 jkowalewski@weber.edu |
