Technical Studies open house exposes students to trade skills training

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, several students from Liberty University’s School of Religion and School of Business took the opportunity to tour the Virginia Technical Institute (VTI) in nearby Altavista, where Liberty’s Technical Studies students train.

“The open house provided students the opportunity to see the state-of-the-art facilities at Virginia Technical Institute,” said Lance McClure, assistant professor and director of Technical Studies. “Students were also shown how the Technical Studies courses could work with their current degree. Keith Harkins, the executive director at VTI shared with the students the benefits of having hands-on training and experience on their résumé. This was a great opportunity for the students to experience what working in the labs at VTI is like.”

During the open house, students got to explore VTI and received a hands-on opportunity to build a toolbox in the wood shop.

Liberty’s Technical Studies students complete general education and degree requirements residentially while taking trade courses as electives and minors through VTI’s state-of-the-art training facilities.

Through the program, students can master a trade to supplement their degree and give them more options for a career. Available trades include welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning).

Students in the program get experiential learning opportunities. Recently, Technical Studies students through VTI served as the skilled volunteer tradesmen in a Habitat for Humanity building project in Altavista.