Highlands College expands program offerings to fill workforce, industry needs

Goal 2 of Montana Tech’s Strategic Plan aims to propagate programs of distinction. Over the past five years, Highlands College has aligned with this goal by revamping the curriculum and expanding educational opportunities in high-demand career and technical fields.

Upon assuming the deanship at Highlands College in June 2021, Karen VanDaveer prioritized program evaluation and new offerings that address critical workforce shortages in southwestern Montana.

“We have developed many industry relationships,” VanDaveer said. “We added a CDL (commercial driver’s license) program and CNA (certified nurse assistant) program for the community. We started the Operation Next program, allowing veterans and their families to receive free credentials in both welding and machining to help with job placement and upskilling. That’s been a really popular program.”

The Pre-Apprentice Line Program expanded from 20 students per semester to 50, VanDaveer notes. The Radiologic Technology program has grown the number of clinical spots available for students, with sites now located in Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman, Dillon, Anaconda, and Butte. The Civil Engineering Technology program was also revamped to include instruction from industry leaders, such as from the Montana Department of Transportation, Water and Environmental Technologies, and other local entities. The Construction Technology–Carpentry program implemented an outdoor classroom, where students spend two years building a modular home from concept to completion.

“Over two years, students gain hands-on experience in home construction, from framing to finishing,” VanDaveer said.

The homes built in the program are sold to fill affordable housing needs in the community, and funds are reinvested to build the next one. Program offerings have also expanded for high school students through dual credit.

“High school students can earn valuable industry certifications through our programs, such as a Foundations of Healthcare Certificate and a CDL certificate,” VanDaveer said.

The high school learning programs have caught the attention of educational leaders in the State. In November, the Montana Board of Regents heard testimony from Grace Vincent, a sophomore nursing student, about how the Highlands College Foundations of Healthcare Certificate of Completion set her up for success.

“(Completing the certificate) allowed me to focus on more challenging courses in college like anatomy and physiology,” Vincent said.

Vincent suggested that early exposure to the wide range of higher education options could encourage greater student participation.

“I think having access to advanced learning, and being exposed to different programs when you are in high school, can help you really explore different career pathways you can pursue,” Vincent said.

Highlands College also implemented a new accelerated pathway to an A.A.S. degree in Automotive Technology. The sprint degree allows high school students to take online dual enrollment classes from anywhere in the State. They complete the hands-on portion of coursework at the Highlands College campus following high school graduation. The student can complete the A.A.S. in three semesters rather than four, giving them earlier entry into the workforce.

Chase Brown, a 2025 graduate of Beaverhead High School, plans to complete the sprint degree at Highlands College in 2026.

“I would recommend this program to students interested in trades. The program allows a student to enter the trade earlier and with more affordable tuition than if they applied after high school,” Brown said.

Highlands College also has revamped the curriculum to provide a streamlined pathway to a bachelor’s degree at Montana Tech, so students like Brown have more options for pursuing higher education.

“Under Chancellor Cook, we have really been integrated into Montana Tech,” VanDaveer said.

The increase in opportunities and community partnerships is no coincidence. Highlands College has added staff members focused on securing grant funding and forming community and industry partnerships. In the past three years, the college has secured $10,236,000 in grants.

“We’ve built these programs within the past three to four years and we’re really proud of them,” VanDaveer said. “We did things differently. We tried some new things, while staying true to our mission of providing the workforce for today and tomorrow through short-term training and workforce development.”