Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) continues to strengthen its commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers and supporting local industry needs. This article provides an institutional update, including the Workforce Promise soft-skills initiative, the new High Voltage program, record graduation and certificate completions, and outstanding results at the 2025 SkillsUSA Utah State Competition.
Workforce Promise: Elevating Soft Skills, Empowering Students
The Workforce Promise initiative addresses a critical gap in workplace readiness by focusing on essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism and critical thinking. Through a four-hour online course, students receive targeted training and earn the “Workforce Promise Graduate” distinction — a credential signaling to employers their preparedness beyond technical abilities.
UBTech student Sharon Rodriguez shared, “Having the Workforce Promise on my resume tells employers I’m ready for the job beyond just technical skills. It shows I know how to communicate, work with others and adapt — skills that make a real difference when starting a new job.”
Local employers have embraced the initiative, pledging to interview any Workforce Promise Graduate who meets job qualifications. Additionally, UBTech offers a cost-free remediation benefit: Employers or graduates can request refresher soft-skills training within one year of employment, ensuring continued professional growth and workplace success.
Alan Olive, CEO of Ashley Regional Medical Center, emphasized the importance of the program: “The Workforce Promise gives us confidence that UBTech graduates come prepared not just with technical skills, but with the essential soft skills that directly address gaps we often see with new hires.”
UBTech President Aaron Weight noted, “Workforce Promise connects well-prepared students with supportive employers and is a key step toward meeting industry demand for soft skills. This initiative strengthens our entire community.”
Employers and companies interested in supporting local talent development are invited to take the Workforce Promise pledge and learn more at www.ubtech.edu/workforcepromise.
High Voltage: Powering Careers in Energy and Utilities
UBTech’s High Voltage program prepares students for power distribution careers with hands-on training in electrical fundamentals, transformer theory, safety, power line rigging and boom vehicle operation. The 11-credit course includes earning a Commercial Driver’s License Class A and prepares students for entry-level groundman roles on the path to becoming linemen. The program takes about eight weeks to complete.
UBTech Celebrates Record Graduation and Certificate Completions
UBTech recently held its largest commencement ceremony to date, with nearly 350 graduates from the Class of 2025 crossing the stage. The college expects to award more than 880 certificates this year — the highest number in its history — highlighting its expanding impact on students and the region’s workforce.
President Aaron Weight reflected on this milestone: “This graduation marks a new chapter for these students and our community. Their dedication and perseverance prepare them to make meaningful contributions in their careers and beyond.”
Supporting this, a recent report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows that technical education improves earning potential, increases employment opportunities and supports upward mobility, which benefits both individuals and the wider community.
UBTech Titans Break Records at 2025 SkillsUSA State Competition
UBTech students earned a record-breaking 65 medals at the 2025 SkillsUSA Utah State Competition, the highest total in the college’s history and the most medals earned by any college in Utah this year. Among these, 31 gold medal-winning students qualified to advance to the national competition in Atlanta.
Medalists excelled across diverse fields including welding, automotive and motorcycle service technology, carpentry and cabinetmaking, diesel and power equipment technology, baking and pastry arts, medical and health sciences, information technology services and more.
President Aaron Weight praised the students’ achievements: “UBTech Titans continue to inspire us with their technical mastery, teamwork and dedication. This year’s accomplishments reflect the strength of our programs, our faculty and the future workforce we’re proud to support.”
