the hands-on driving experience necessary to enter the workforce, while the Advanced Energy Transportation program is designed for drivers who already possess a CDL and want to specialize in safely transporting petroleum. Students who go through programs at UBTech are also blessed with great instructors. Heather Lowry, the chief development officer for UBTech, highlighted this in a recent interview: “Those instructors just bend over backward to try and get them through the system and get their licenses. We have fabulous staff here.” The president of UPA, Rikki HrenkoBrowning, also speaks highly of the program at UBTech: “Great things are happening in the Uintah Basin … We heard about the collaborative efforts UBTech has been having to assist in the driver shortage.” Once Hrenko-Browning learned of UBTech’s efforts, she wanted to support their mission and encouraged UPA member companies to do the same. The scholarship that UPA provides covers the cost of hazmat endorsements and removes financial barriers so students can move forward into a new, rewarding and exciting career. To date, 114 students have been helped through this scholarship. Many UPA members have also jumped onboard by offering their own scholarships and donations in support of the program. Supporting members include: ITL Tankers, Dominion Energy, Uinta Wax, Williams, XCL Resources , Finley, Marathon, IWM (Integrated) and Ovintiv. As Hrenko-Browning stated earlier in this issue, “Many hands make light work.” How amazing to see UPA members sharing in the work and supporting the growth of our industry through sponsoring technical education. UBTech is committed to helping the local and business community and only sees these programs becoming more robust. “I meet with our industry partners regularly and they ask us at every meeting, ‘Do you have any drivers?’ We have a waiting list right now for students trying to get into classes up through February. And so there is a huge demand for that. Students want to take this because there are jobs out there, and the jobs pay well,” said Lowry. It’s clear that specialized CDL drivers are important to the thriving economy, and the shortage has created issues for the industry. Supporting UBTech as they teach the future workers of our industry — workers who are so greatly needed — is a great way to get involved and “fuel Utah’s growth and prosperity.” To learn more, visit the UBTech website at ubtech.edu. 15 UPDATE
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