MOHAVE COUNTY – A successful future does not require leaving Mohave County or spending years buried in university debt. For students ready to learn practical skills, solve real problems and build careers that strengthen their communities, Mohave College offers an affordable path forward.
Enrollment is underway for career and technical education courses that prepare students for work in many careers including automotive service, residential construction, computer-aided design, advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance.
“These programs are built for people who want their education to lead somewhere,” said Mohave College President Dr. Chrissy Holliday. “Students learn by working with the tools, technology and equipment used in today’s workplaces. They can gain valuable skills, prepare for good careers and build better lives without having to leave the communities they call home.”
Programs currently with the most available class seats include:
* Basic Automotive Technology: Develop foundational skills in vehicle inspection, maintenance, diagnostics and repair while preparing for entry-level work in automotive service.
* Advanced Automotive Technology: Build more specialized diagnostic and repair skills for work as an automotive service technician. Modern vehicles combine mechanical systems with computers, sensors and sophisticated electronics, creating a continuing need for properly trained technicians.
* Residential Construction: Gain hands-on experience and foundational skills for entry-level work in home construction and related trades. Students learn how buildings come together while developing practical abilities that can remain valuable for a lifetime.
* Computer-Aided Design: Learn to transform ideas, measurements and technical information into precise digital drawings and models using industry-standard design software. CAD skills support careers in construction, manufacturing, engineering, architecture and product development.
* Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics: Train for the increasingly automated world of modern manufacturing. Offered at the College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Kingman, the program combines mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and control systems while teaching students to inspect, troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial equipment.
These are not programs built around sitting in a lecture hall and memorizing information without a purpose. Career and technical education combines essential knowledge with hands-on training that students can put to work.
The need for those abilities extends well beyond individual employers. Homes must be built and maintained. Vehicles must be repaired. Products and buildings must be designed. Manufacturing equipment must keep running.
When local residents develop those skills, local businesses gain qualified workers, families gain greater financial stability and communities become less dependent on recruiting talent from somewhere else.
National workforce projections reinforce that need. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 70,000 automotive technician openings annually through 2034. Employment for industrial machinery mechanics, maintenance workers and millwrights is projected to grow 13% during the same period, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The College also delivers significant value to students and communities. Tuition remains among the most affordable in Arizona, and eligible students may qualify for grants, scholarships and other financial assistance. Students can begin with a focused certificate, enter the workforce and continue building their education as their career goals grow.
That investment benefits the entire region. Economic impact studies found that the College adds $199 million annually to the Mohave County economy and supports 2,755 jobs. Students receive an estimated $6.10 in higher future earnings for every dollar invested in their education.
College is not one narrow experience, and it is not reserved for one type of person. It can mean learning to diagnose an engine, build a home, design a mechanical component or keep an automated production line operating. At Mohave College, it means gaining useful skills at an affordable price and turning personal potential into a stronger future.
Fall enrollment is underway and the first classes begin August 17. The first step is creating a student profile at FutureBighorn.com. Enrollment Navigators are available to help prospective students explore programs, apply for admission and review financial-aid options. Their contact information is available at Mohave.edu/Admission.
