New skilled labor program at Mountainland Technical College aims to boost Utah’s construction industry workers
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- Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson speaks with a student in the Civil Construction program at Mountainland Technical College’s campus in Lehi on Monday, May 5, 2025.
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- Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson tries the CAT simulators during a celebration event for Mountainland Technical College’s new Civil Construction program at its campus in Lehi on Monday, May 5, 2025.
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- Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson speaks during a celebration event for Mountainland Technical College’s new Civil Construction program at its campus in Lehi on Monday, May 5, 2025.
In Utah County and points beyond, a person doesn’t have to look far to see an abundance of construction sites. Whether it’s a new housing development, a structure poised to house businesses, or infrastructure along busy thoroughfares, construction projects are rampant in aiding the county’s growth.
However, executing those projects comes down to the available labor force, of which construction companies in Utah are reportedly experiencing a shortage.
In 2024, the Utah Department of Workforce Services projected that more than 19,000 skilled construction worker hires were needed to keep up with the demand of ongoing and upcoming projects.
Last month, Mountainland Technical College launched its new Civil Construction program which looks to meet the urgent demand for skilled workers in Utah’s infrastructure and construction sectors, the school said in a press release.
The program is a partnership between MTECH and Orem-based Clyde Cos., the parent company of construction operations such as WW Clyde, Geneva Rock, Sunroc, among others.
The four-month course program will equip students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for a successful career by covering various aspects of civil construction, ensuring a well-rounded education for successful employment, the course description reads.
On Monday, state officials, education leaders, and industry experts celebrate the new program at MTECH’s Lehi campus.
Among leaders in attendance was Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson, who delivered remarks about the importance of workforce development and how programs like MTECH’s Civil Construction will aid in building Utah’s future.
The event comes months after Gov. Spencer Cox’s 2025 State of the State speech in which he doubled down on his administration’s ambitious goal of building 35,000 starter homes in the next five years to boost housing attainability.
“I echo Gov Cox‘s call that in Utah, ‘We Must Build’,” Henderson said in a post on X regarding her visit to the campus. “The MTECH Utah Civil Construction Program will provide the necessary tools for students headed into the construction industry. Our future workforce will thrive as we start now to provide the needed hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of skilled laborers.”
MTECH leaders say in response to the state’s ever-growing need for construction professionals, the new program will offer hands-on training tailored to real-world job demands.
During the celebratory event guests got a firsthand look at what students will endure by participating in interactive simulations that mirror the tasks and equipment students will train with, thus meshing the classroom learning with real life experiences and giving attendees a glimpse into what the field demands.
“At Mountainland Technical College, we believe in building futures, and today, we’re proud to help build Utah’s workforce, one skilled student at a time,” MTECH President Clay Christensen said in a release.
Registration for the Civil Construction program at MTECH opened April 16.
For more information, visit www.mtec.edu/programs/civil-construction.
