OTECH High Opens, Looks to Strengthen Utah's Workforce

Breaking the mold of your standard classroom of reading, writing, and arithmetic, Ogden School District partnered with Ogden-Weber Technical College to construct an innovative way of learning that benefits not only students, but the future workforce of northern Utah. Ogden School District Superintendent, Luke Rasmussen, spoke at the official opening of OTECH High saying, "This collaboration prepares our students for the dynamic demands of both the workforce and higher education."

Ogden Technical High School (OTECH) is the first of its kind in Utah, where a public high school program is located on the campus of an accredited technical college. "Our students will engage in personalized, competency-based learning (PCBL) allowing them to progress at their own pace, demonstrate mastery through practical application, rather than traditional test and assignments," explained Rasmussen. "This approach ensures that each student's unique strengths and needs are going to be met effectively."

Ogden-Weber Technical College offers hands-on learning with over 300 technical skill courses in 30 programs such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, software development, and the service industry. These programs are free to Utah high school students, but now Ogden School District students can stay on OTECH's campus for both high school core and tech college classes. James Taggart, President of Ogden-Weber Technical College also spoke at the opening, "They (students) had to give an hour to an hour and a half of either side of their schedule to travel to the Tech college to access the programs." Now students can stop worrying about the commute and focus on the work. Taggart went on to say, "This integrated experience is good for students. It's good for our community. Our graduates go to work. Ninety-eight percent of our students receive immediate employment in a high-wage, high-demand job."

David Sawyer, Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development for Ogden City, also sees OTECH High as a positive for the community and business. "The option to attend high school right on the college campus strengthens the northern Utah workforce. Making education more accessible, affordable, and applicable here in Ogden serves to make our city more desirable for companies to expand or relocate to Ogden."

Innovative approaches like OTECH High ensure more students graduate and find jobs. "Our economy has changed. The twentieth-century model for higher education was go to school for four years and then find that first entry level job to get some experience," explained Taggart. "The new model is to get a tech certificate, get experience, get hired at a high wage."

OTECH High students get their core classes and hands-on technical education while also having the unique opportunity to maintain their enrollment at their boundary schools, so they get the full high-school experience. That's what drew Lucy Blodgett, a junior at Ogden High, to attend OTECH High this fall as she earns her cosmetology certificate. "I can continue being a part of Ogden High School and participate in their events and activities. So, it's like the best of both worlds." The new $13 million facility accommodates to 300 students, but President Taggart says overall, OTECH College serves 1,700 high school students each year, saving families over $800,000 a year in tuition costs.

"By equipping students with cutting-edge skills and real-world experience, we foster innovation and success in our area. Students who learn desirable skills in manufacturing, computer technology design, and many others, are career ready as they graduate. Northern Utah is seeing growth in manufacturing, aerospace and defense, so there are jobs waiting for these students," says Sawyer.

OTECH High also offers a Teen Center where students can find food to take home, washers and dryers, and personal hygiene items-all materials students need to have successful outcomes in education. Superintendent Rasmussen said, "I'm excited that this school will meet the individual needs of our students to produce highly skilled workers within our community."