BLANDING, Utah — Welding faculty at Utah State University Blanding campus donned protective gear and shunned the customary large pair of scissors in favor of welding torches on Friday, Oct. 6, cutting through a metal ribbon to herald the opening of the Statewide campus’ new Technical Education Building.
“This building represents a significant commitment by the university to support technical education programs in Blanding,” said Brian Warnick, head of USU’s Department of Technology, Design & Technical Education. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to student success and these new facilities will allow them to further elevate opportunities to provide students with skills that will significantly impact individuals, families and communities.”
Housed inside a former Shopko retail store on Main Street, the Technical Education Building will accommodate USU Blanding’s welding and trucking programs. The renovated space includes two teaching classrooms, a trucking maintenance lab, welding lab, trucking simulator lab and commercial driver license skills practice area, as well as space for USU Extension.
“The newly constructed USU Blanding Technical Education Building is an exceptional facility that enables us to expand our educational outreach to a broader student base and offer a wider array of programs,” said Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president of both the USU Blanding and USU Moab statewide campuses.
Disciplines like welding and truck driving are experiencing a significant demand for skilled professionals, according to Olsen.
“With this state-of-the-art facility, USU Blanding is actively preparing the next generation of truck drivers and welders to meet the workforce needs of industries serving the Four Corners region,” Olsen said.
The welding lab at the new facility will allow USU Blanding to expand its educational offerings, while also accommodating more students in a modern learning environment. The additional acreage at the site will also allow for future growth as the welding and trucking programs evolve.
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