Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is WETC?

The Western Energy Training Center, located at the Willow Creek Mine site just north of Helper, is an industry-driven, innovative training facility that will cater to the growing needs of industry in the region. It is being funded in part by a $2.7 million grant to CEU from the Department of Labor as part of the President's High Quality Job Growth Initiative. The Center will offer a wide array of short-term intensive training by industry experts, as well as certificate and eventual degree programs in such areas as Process Technology, for instance. The Board of Directors that is driving the current efforts to develop WETC consists of key figures from local energy sectors, together with a representative from each of the following entities: College Of Eastern Utah, Southeast Applied Technology College, Workforce Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

2. What Types of Courses are Offered?

The focus at WETC will be in the areas of mining, trucking, safety, and specialized programming. Through industry input and support, and the grant funding, the Center promises to enhance existing programs and broaden the course offerings. More information about courses will be forthcoming as final plans are made. If you have course ideas, are interested in teaching courses, or know someone who wants to teach, please let us know. Do not hesitate to call if you have suggestions, needs, or comments. To see a list of WETC Offerings visit the Curriculum page.

3. What is custom fit funding?

Custom Fit is a dynamic partnership between the Utah College of Applied Technology, its college campuses, select sister institutions across the state, and the local business community. Its mission is simply to provide customized employee training.

This unique program offers you, your company, and your employees the benefit of state-of-the-art training and development, customized to meet your specific needs, and does so at a cost that you can afford. How? The Utah State Legislature appropriates funds each year as an investment in Utah’s economy through Custom Fit, which means your tax dollars are coming back to serve you! The Custom Fit program funds a large portion of the training costs.

There is a Custom Fit Training office serving every region of the state with a staff ready to meet with you to discuss your business: What’s working? What’s not? Where are your biggest frustrations? And how can Custom Fit help?

Your Custom Fit representative works with you to determine if Custom Fit is right for your business. Then the Custom Fit representative decides who the best service provider(s) will be, figures out the logistics, and establishes a Custom Fit budget. Your Custom Fit representative will calculate the cash contribution required of your company.

Over the years, Custom Fit has worked with many types and sizes of businesses from mom and pop shops to the largest employers in the state. Whether you need specific technical training, safety certifications, computer skills, leadership / management skills, or just help in how to get along with others at work, Custom Fit can provide training with industry experts to meet your needs. Custom Fit’s goal is to assist you in building and maintaining a quality workforce to meet your demands and strengthen your competitive edge. For more information please contact Bill Vande Sluis at 435.613.1438 ext 422 or e-mail him at bvandesluis@seatc.org.

4. How can you Help?

One of the key benefits of the DOL grant is the requirement that industry participate in the training center. WETC needs industry to take an active role in helping it establish programs. It will need donations of equipment and money to make sure that it can get off the ground with quality programming that will make it self sustaining over time. If you or your company can help support WETC, please contact us. In early June we will have a better grasp of the specific types of equipment we will need to establish high-quality classrooms, shops, and training labs. We will be sending out updated information at that time. The following information will help you better understand where WETC stands today and where it is going in the immediate future.

5. How do I request/schedule a specific class?

Contact Robert Litster for all class requests/scheduling:
Phone:435-472-4717
E-mail: robert.litster@ceu.edu

 

Are you from out-of-town? Click here to see what Castle Country has to offer!