UBTech Automotive and Welding Programs Voted Best in Utah
Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) continues to lead the way in technical education, with its Automotive and Welding programs recently earning the distinction of being ranked number one in the state of Utah by Research.com.
These programs not only provide exceptional hands-on training but also prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers with strong earning potential in today’s competitive job market.
UBTech’s Automotive program has achieved remarkable success, winning the Weber State University Automotive Competition for the fourth consecutive year last month. Since 2017, automotive students have earned 29 state medals in Utah’s SkillsUSA competitions, including 15 gold medals, and have gone on to secure six national medals, two of which were national champions.
This consistent excellence recently opened an exciting new door: due to UBTech students’ outstanding performance at the Weber State competition, Weber State University extended a first-time invitation for UBTech to attend and fully fund its students to compete at the North Carolina Dealers Association Competition in Charlotte in 2026.
The Welding program has demonstrated similar excellence, maintaining a record of winning a state medal in a welding category every year since 2017. Over that time, UBTech welding students have claimed 15 state gold medals and five national medals.
The program’s global achievements are equally impressive, with five students competing in the AWS World Welding Trials and two earning the honor of representing the United States internationally, where one placed third and another placed fourth in the world. These accomplishments underscore UBTech’s commitment to excellence through SkillsUSA, where students consistently showcase mastery and professionalism.
The number one rankings reflect rigorous evaluation standards.
Automotive was recognized for its strong ties with industry, updated facilities, high job placement rates, up-to-date curriculum, flexibility, affordability, and program length.
Welding earned top honors for its emphasis on hands-on learning, flexibility, program length, and cost—criteria that matter most to students and employers alike.
UBTech is not only winning competitions—it is meeting the needs of Utah’s workforce. Automotive programs saw a 20 percent increase in certificates awarded from FY24 to FY25, while welding certificates grew by nearly 59 percent. This surge reflects UBTech’s role in addressing local job demands and preparing graduates for careers that offer stability and outstanding earning potential.
President Aaron Weight expressed his pride in these achievements, stating, “Our students and faculty exemplify what technical education is all about—skill, determination, and innovation. The education experience our students receive from UBTech faculty is second to none. These rankings demonstrate that UBTech graduates are prepared to lead in industry and succeed in high-demand, high-paying careers.”
Utah’s number one ranked Automotive program (Research.com) delivers hands-on, industry-focused training and has earned state and national recognition for excellence in competitive automotive technology.
