Calling all photogs…

Submit your best OWATC photos for our photo contest

SHUTTER UP

The contest begins April 1st and you have the chance to win prizes ALL YEAR!

See all the details and submit photos here!

We are happy to announce the high school “Students of the Month” for February 2009.

• Jonathan Christiansen – Ben Lomond High School – Cabinetmaking and Millwork
• Ana Reyes – Ogden High School – Media Design Technology
• Kayla Horsley – Washington High School – Nursing Assistant
• Jordan Oakes – Bonneville High School – Drafting
• Michael Wilkins – Weber High School – Carpentry
• Michael Owen – Fremont High School – Dental Office Administration
• Jeffrey Rydalch – Roy High School – Conventional Machinist
• William Stott – Canyon View School – Bricklaying
• Khasha Eberhardt – Two Rivers High School – Welding

 

We wish them continued success in all of their educational pursuits!!

CONGRATULATIONS to four students that received scholarships for OWATC at the 

Ogden Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Dinner (02.21.09)

Left to right: Andy Brown, Pam Hernandez, Carlos Guerrero,

President Mercier, Johnny Rios, David Ramirez, Cesar Duran

A big THANK YOU to all who participated in our Career Fair Tuesday.

The final counts aren’t in yet but we believe it was the best turnout we’ve ever had. Thank you to all who attended and especially to all the employers who sponsored booths.  Thank you to the Career Fair Committee comprised of OWATC staff/Custom Fit and other willing community leaders from LDS Employment Resource Services, Department of Workforce Services and Cottages of Hope. Thank you to all the OWATC faculty and staff who help make this event possible every year!

During President Obama’s address to Congress Tuesday night, he spoke about the importance of education.

He asked every American to commit to completing at least one year or more of higher education or career training. At OWATC, we strongly believe that education is the key to a successful future. Please read through this excerpt from our President’s address. (Portions in red are “highlights”) Click here to read the entire address.

The third challenge we must address is the urgent need to expand the promise of education in America.   

In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite.    

Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma.  And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education.  We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation.  And half of the students who begin college never finish.

This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.  That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education – from the day they are born to the day they begin a career.

Already, we have made an historic investment in education through the economic recovery plan.  We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life.  We have made college affordable for nearly seven million more students.  And we have provided the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children’s progress.

But we know that our schools don’t just need more resources.  They need more reform.  That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance; pathways for advancement, and rewards for success.  We’ll invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps.  And we will expand our commitment to charter schools.  

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work.  But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it.  And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training.  This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship.  But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.  And dropping out of high school is no longer an option.  It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American.  That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal:  by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.  

I know that the price of tuition is higher than ever, which is why if you are willing to volunteer in your neighborhood or give back to your community or serve your country, we will make sure that you can afford a higher education.  And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy.

These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children.  But it is up to us to ensure they walk through them.  In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend those parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework after dinner, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, and read to their child.  I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father when I say that responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home.

Our annual community CAREER FAIR!

When?  March 3rd, 2009 • 3-7:00 p.m.

Where?  OWATC Main Campus • 200 N. Washington Blvd., Ogden, UT

• Meet with employers
• Bring your resume for review
• On-site career counseling
• Special incentives for high school students
• Prize drawings

Want more information? Visit www.owatc.edu/careerfair or call (801) 627-8300

Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College celebrates

Black History Month 2009

with

“Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas”

Thursday February 19, 2009 ~ 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

The event is free to the public and all interested are encouraged to attend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The event will also feature the

Annual African-American Scholarship Fund Raising “Soul Food” Banquet

Tickets are $20.00 for one adult and $30.00 for two adults; children under 12 eat free.

Contact Pam Hernandez (801.627.8452) for more information.

Stay tuned for information about the next OWATC contest…

{HINT}

Going to the CAREER FAIR at OWATC, of course!

That’s right, it’s time for our annual community career fair.

What?  Come network with top employers from Northern Utah and explore over 50 training programs

• Meet with employers
• Bring your resume for review
• On-site career counseling
• Special incentives for high school students
• Prize drawings

When?  March 3rd, 2009 • 3-7:00 p.m.

Where?  OWATC Main Campus • 200 N. Washington Blvd., Ogden, UT

Want more information? Visit www.owatc.edu/careerfair or call (801) 627-8300

Congratulations to all who competed in the regional SkillsUSA competiton last week!

Click here to see the winners!

And go here for some pictures!

SkillsUSAs website defines the organization as follows:

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It helps each student excel.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. It was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

A big THANK YOU is in order for those that helped plan and carry-out the competition. These student successes couldn’t happen without you!