The construction taking place on the other side of what used to be the windows in Daniel Bingham's office provides a good reminder to the UM-Helena College of Technology Dean of the school's mission.

The $11 to $12 million expansion -- depending upon how much money ends up in the long-range building bill -- is adding nearly 18,000 square feet to the college's Donaldson Campus on Roberts Street and an additional 14,000 square feet at the Airport Campus.

The project has just one foreman, Bingham notes, perhaps trained in management at a four-year college. But it takes a team of 50 or 60 skilled craftspeople to actually do the work, and it's those workers who more likely learned their trade at a two-year college like UM-Helena.

"If the country doesn't pay attention to its infrastructure, it doesn't matter how many engineers you have, you won't have people to do the work," he said.

The two-year college's mainstay trade programs -- machining, welding and diesel mechanics -- are all thriving, and industry is hungry for graduates of all three.

"A student can walk through any of those three doors and do very well in life," Bingham said.

Building Out

The expansion addresses nearly every program at the college, both the traditional trades and the newer arts and sciences offerings.

The project was originally funded with $7.5 million from the 2005 Legislature. The college sought more money in the recently adjourned session for additional refurbishments to both campuses.

That pays for major work at both campuses -- the main Donaldson Campus on Roberts Street gets 21 percent more space, or nearly 18,000 square feet, and the Airport Campus on Airport Road grows by nearly a quarter, or 14,000 square feet.

The Donaldson Campus work includes a new main entrance, oriented to the north, a 90-seat tiered lecture hall for meetings and community events and new space for enrollment and learning services.

There's also a brand new library, brightly lit with large north-facing windows, and new biology and chemistry labs for the nursing and other science programs. There's a new computer lab, some new classrooms and additional office space for faculty.

At the Airport Campus, the automotive technology, machine technology and construction technology departments all get much-needed elbow room.

The new space is needed. While enrollment was basically flat over the past two years, it's up some 35 percent over the past decade. The college has seen strong growth in its associate of arts and associate of science transfer programs, but those programs are only around five years old, so an increase would be expected.

Michael Brown, director of admissions, marketing and recruiting, said the average age of students has dropped from 29 to 27, which mirrors a trend at colleges across the state and which is viewed as a negative situation.

"Fewer older adults are returning for new skills and education," he said. "Aksim we are seeing a shift from full-time to part-time students, which also parallels national trends. Cost and outside commitments are making it harder for students to attend college full-time."

Broadening focus

As he gives visitors a tour of the new construction, Bingham talks about how, even just since the work began a year ago, the college is "shifting" and has different needs now than it did when the first dirt was turned.

Later, the soft-spoken dean, 48, elaborated.

"We're looking at the broader needs of the community and identifying those programs in which we need to grow," he said. "Our primary mission is technical education, but there are additional needs in our community -- in health sciences, in the business area, in simple areas like computer aided drafting. Two years ago we looked at our mission very differently. We've assessed the needs of our community and realized things have changed. It's a shift in adding programs, or in growing programs that have not grown in the past."

Bingham, who has a construction background, said he was approached by a local architect about personally doing some CAD work. "When they're approaching the dean of the college asking if I can perform a function for them," it's apparent there's a need in the local economy that's not being met, he said.

As a result, a specialized certificate in drafting will be offered for the first time this fall, along with a similar certificate in paralegal studies.

Another addition for the fall semester: an associate's degree in paramedicine, taught locally through Flathead Valley Community College. Those paramedic training courses will be taught here by teachers hired and employed by FVCC.

"We almost share the student," Bingham said. "We're looking to leverage those types of resources across the state without having to leverage the cost of developing those new programs."

In addition to new offerings that expand the curriculum beyond technical programs, Bingham said the college is looking at shifting more of its courses to evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of working students who may not carry a full course load and may not be available for school during the weekday.

"The challenge to us is to step out of out history, redefine our direction and create a comprehensive schedule that meets the needs of as many people as we can possibly reach," he said.

Elaine Arrington, a math instructor and president of the newly formed Faculty Senate, said most of her colleagues are supportive of the changes in curriculum.

"I think the dean has made a lot of contacts in the community, and the college has always tried to be responsive to the needs of the community," she said. "I do sense we're going more in that direction, just from some of the programs people are looking into. We can expand into all sorts of directions with this new building."

True Roots

The traditional trade programs are also thriving. Welding instructor Tim Harris noted that nearly 20 students took part in a standardized test administered by Tetra Tech and the American Welding Society, and the entire class earned a perfect score.

Meanwhile, nine students left this week for the Colstrip 1 power plant, where they'll assist with a routine maintenance shutdown and complete repair work on the boiler. Harris said one or two students have gone in the past, but never as many as nine.

"We've built good relations with Boilermakers Local 11 in East Helena, they're in serious need of people and the students were interested in what they do," Harris said. "It's a wonderful time for a person to make an excellent living in the trades right now."

Steve Schlauch, an automotive technology instructor for 25 years, said he was revitalized to move into his department's new space over spring break. The square footage is about the same, he said, but there's lots of new equipment, more daylight and better air circulation.

"And all the trade programs are together, so we can complement each other," he said. "If I need stepstools made, our carpentry program is right there."

Harold Kelly, head of the school's construction department, said having office and class space right next to the shops will make the program more efficient. He said that at 38 years of age, the construction program is the longest-running in the state.

"This program's been a well-kept secret for a long time," he said. "It's the longest-lasting program in the state, and now we've got the best facilities too."

John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com.