Technical studies program prepares students for in-demand careers
The value of a trades education is on the rise as the demand for skilled workers skyrockets across the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in construction and extraction occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023-33. Data also points to an expected annual shortage of skilled tradesmen over the next decade at close to half a million.
An emphasis on trades training remains especially relevant as President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April to modernize American workforce programs and prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future.
With Liberty University’s longstanding commitment to match its educational offerings with current job market needs and provide hands-on, career readiness training across all programs, the school has renewed its focus on the skilled trades through its Technical Studies Department.
The department has many for-credit and non-credit options. Liberty students can pursue an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Technical Studies, select an area of study for an Interdisciplinary Studies degree, add a minor in the five trades — carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and welding — to enhance any bachelor’s degree, or choose technical studies courses as electives in their degree program. Those who don’t wish to pursue a university degree can still seek industry-recognized certifications and launch their careers. Training curriculum is approved by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), with courses taught at the Virginia Technical Institute in nearby Altavista.
After collaborating with VTI as partners for almost 15 years, Liberty acquired the educational components of the institute last year and has continued to grow its offerings, expanding its for-credit courses into the non-credit environment through the Center for Professional & Continuing Education. Students — especially adult students, military veterans, and employees looking to learn a skill or trade — can gain the skills necessary to quickly enter the workforce rather than spend several years earning a degree. Liberty partners with area businesses like Frito-Lay, BWXT, Moore’s Electrical & Mechanical, and many others that enroll their employees.
Degree-seeking students from different academic disciplines across the university also take technical studies courses. For example, students training to become pastors or missionaries may look to earn a trade for a bivocational ministry career. Interior design and theatre students might want to work on their carpentry skills for room and set design.
“We had one student who was a linguist,” said Dr. George Sherman, associate dean, who has taught the program’s core crafts skills course. “She was studying languages and intended to do missions work, but the place she wanted to go wouldn’t accept her if she said, ‘I’m here to spread the news of Christ.’ But if she said, ‘I’m a carpenter,’ she’s in.”
Many technical studies graduates secure jobs immediately or even before graduation.
Savannah Houck (’25), a recent graduate of the welding program (pictured above), was offered a job welding aluminum pipe and titanium pieces for firearms with WK Industries in Alpharetta, Ga., two months before graduation. She credits her welding instructor, Travis Wood, with preparing her for the position.
“I was one of the top applicants, and once they saw who my professor was, they were extraordinarily impressed,” Houck said, noting that Wood is well-known in the industry. “They were like, ‘If you have that kind of background, then clearly you’ve been taught well.’ They were thoroughly impressed with my knowledge and competency for being fresh out of school.”
Like Wood, all of the technical studies instructors are industry experts with successful careers and remain dedicated to mentoring students.
“The instructors are working (in their fields) during the day and coming to teach the classes in the evening,” said Dwayne Melton, dean of the College of Applied Studies & Academic Success, which houses the Technical Studies Department. He noted that about 90% of the instructors are still working in their respective industries.
“They’re all industry professionals who are current with best practices.”
William Kline graduated with an Associate of Applied Sciences in Technical Studies in 2020. While he was in his first electrical class, a classmate who was already working for Enterprise Electrical Services Inc. was impressed with Kline’s work, told his employer, and a few weeks later, Kline was offered a position as a full-time electrician with the company. He was able to pursue his degree while working, and after graduation, he received his journeyman’s license and eventually became licensed as a master electrician. He now owns and operates his own electrical business, Legacy Electric LLC.
Because of how much he benefited from his time with Liberty, Kline returned in 2023 to be an adjunct instructor and give back to the program that launched his career.
“The structure and the intentions behind everything (in Liberty’s technical studies program) is such a healthy and positive way to do things. There’s no real ulterior agenda other than personal improvement all throughout,” he said. “I’ve had people light the way for me, and I wanted to finally take my position where I can help other people as well. I want to make sure these students are going out into the workforce and being respected by the community.”
David Sage, senior director of technical studies, said there are not many places where students can learn trade skills from a biblical worldview. As the program grows, Liberty will continue to raise up champions who can reflect Christ in the technical fields.
“The average tradesperson right now is 58 years old. In seven years when the graying workforce retires, the void is going to be much greater to fill. The character and the moral values that are taught here at Liberty will help our students rise above and take on those leadership roles.”
He said the program adequately prepares students to make their careers part of their ministry.
“As ambassadors going into that workforce, it is very important,” he added. “We can bring the Gospel not only to our coworkers and carry that Christian moral value into our leadership and be good disciple makers, but we also have the privilege of being invited into people’s homes and being able to show love there, too. It’s important for our folks to be empowered, to be Champions for Christ, and go into the marketplace to be a witness.”
Learn more at Liberty.edu/Trades.
SHOWCASING SKILLS
Technical studies students participated in the SkillsUSA Championships June 23-27 in Atlanta, the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. Three Liberty students ranked in the top 10 in plumbing, industrial motor control, and welding. (Read more at Liberty.edu/News.)
The Welding Fabrication team met with Ty Pennington, the Emmy Award- winning TV host of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Left to right: Pennington; students Luke Peterson, Nathan Strock, and Adam Tweedy; welding instructor Travis Wood.
Student Grant Parker placed third in the SkillsUSA plumbing nationals.
