Creating Utah Surveying and CAD Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunities

When Mark Mataya approached general manager Ron Paul about providing career training opportunities in engineering and surveying career paths, it didn’t take long for Ron and the Focus Engineering & Surveying management to jump on board.

Mark is the adult education program manager at Entrada High School and is always looking for opportunities to connect students with the local business industry. “If we’re not preparing students for jobs that are in demand, we’re not doing it correctly,” explains Mark. After interviewing firm leadership, Mark found the Focus culture and tenets really aligned with what he was looking for.

AutoCAD & Engineering Pre-Apprenticeship

Travis Benson, Site Civil Department Manager, sees the partnership as an opportunity to build and strengthen our communities and also as an inroad to an industry in need of staff with technical skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. The employment of surveying and mapping technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028.

Helping Travis is Jason Barker. They are teaching entry-level CAD to five students. “This is an opportunity to learn a skill that could turn into a great career,” says Jason. “A wide array of industries use computer-aided drafting in some form or another.” As the department manager for the firm’s Vertical Engineering group, Jason also hopes to meet someone with a knack for CAD. “A diamond in the rough, if you will,” he remarks, “someone who might be a good fit who we could bring on as an intern.”

Rodman & Surveying Pre-Apprenticeship

The 12-session, six-week survey class is taught by Survey Department Manager Spencer Llewelyn. He began the course giving an overview of surveying, the history of the profession, and the different types of land surveys that can be performed. “I really want the students to discover the value of trade programs,” describes Spencer. “We discuss what you can expect starting out in the career, what the work is like, what the potential for growth is.” A hands-on class project includes going out to map an area and then staking a proposed subdivision.

Career Opportunities for Entrada Students

Mark and Canyons School District see great value in this partnership. “I am so glad to be associated with Focus. The firm values its people, celebrates success, and has a good reputation. I feel good showing my students what their business is like.”

You get a sense of Mark’s passion for helping his students when he talks about helping his students succeed. “I’d love for these students to borrow my 43-year old eyes so they can recognize an opportunity. I’ve had students ask me what’s the catch. They feel it might be too good to be true. If they want to grab ahold of it, it’s there for the taking.”

Our teachers couldn’t agree more. It’s an industry and profession we care deeply about. And a partnership we hope can continue for years to come.

Interested in learning more? Contact Mark Mataya at (801) 826-6675 or check in with him at the Entrada High School main office.