Dixie Tech launches new electrical apprenticeship cohort for high school students

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — After months of planning and preparation, Dixie Technical College welcomed its first cohort of high school students into the electrical apprenticeship program earlier this month. This adds electrical apprenticeship to the list of programs with early morning cohorts dedicated to high school students.

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

“I saw an opportunity to further benefit students and expand the electrical program,” said Jordan Rushton, interim president of Dixie Tech. “I am so pleased with the new early morning cohort of students who are exclusively high school seniors.”

Reactions to this expansion have been enthusiastic from faculty and students alike. A group of 14 students began this cohort, and there are already plans for expansion.

“Our electrical apprenticeship fills up quickly, usually months in advance,” said TJ Empey, an instructor in the program. “Not only are we helping these high school students by working with their schedules, (but) we’re also able to help them develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

Just because the students in this class are exclusively high school seniors doesn’t mean the instructors are holding back when it comes to their training and education.

“We don’t want anyone to think that we tailor the curriculum or training to high school students,” said Jayden Priest, an instructor in the program. “These kids are doing the same first-year electrical residential program as all of our other students. And they are off to a great start.”

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

The expansion of this program is the culmination of several months of hard work, coordination and collaboration with the Washington County School District and each of the local high schools.

“This expansion to our electrical program is another example of Dixie Tech finding collaborative ways to serve secondary students and help them get a head start on a solid career path,” Rushton said. “These students are able to receive high-quality training that leads to a highly technical, well-paying career.”

Dixie Tech is the first technical college in the state to open a cohort in the electrical apprenticeship program exclusively for high school students. Students actively enrolled in high school have their tuition at Dixie Tech waived and only pay program fees. This makes it a great opportunity for each student.

“I love the hands-on learning part of the program,” said William Barlow, a senior at Crimson Cliffs High School. “It’s been really satisfying to try things and figure them out.”

The mission of Dixie Tech is to train students to master essential skills they will take directly to the workforce, enabling them to support their families, strengthen the community and contribute to local industry while advancing their careers. The college is continually looking for opportunities to further that mission by expanding programs so that quality technical education is readily available to the community.

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Resources

  • Dixie Technical College | Address: 610 S. Tech Ridge Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-674-8400 | Website.

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