Mountain Gateway Community College develops its program for skilled trades

Clifton Forge, Virginia – Mountain Gateway Community College is making its school for skilled trades bigger.

“We really want to position ourselves as a trade school,” said David Shofstahl, who is in charge of the Skilled Trades Program at Mountain Gateway Community College.

To its list of skilled skills, Mountain Gateway Community College is now teaching plumbing and woodworking.

It’s been a few years since we were trying to figure out how to bring these classes to the college. Shofstahl said, “Really excited that we’re able to meet that need and really grow the next generation.”

The people in charge at Mountain Gateway Community College said that more students want to work in the skilled trades.

“This semester, we taught two sections of HVAC here in Clifton Forge.” “That really blew our minds,” Shofstahl said.

He said the kids would do well if they got training on the job.

We can teach you things like Ohm’s law and electrical theory, but they won’t make much sense until you work in the field. Shofstahl said, “We see a lot more success with students who are actively working in their trades while they’re taking the classes.”

The plumbing and building programs will begin in the spring term.

David Shofstahl can be reached at dshofstahl@mgcc.edu for more information about the skilled trades classes.