(Tarkio) -- A northwest Missouri technology institute is projecting record enrollment to start the 2025 fall semester.
That's according to Tarkio Technology Institute President John Davis, who updated KMA News on the latest enrollment numbers to start the 2025-26 academic year. While they are still finalizing late enrollments, Davis says the school is expecting around 60 students--nearly double their previous enrollment peak since the tech school opened on the former Tarkio College campus in 2020. Davis attributes much of the increase in enrollment to the increased popularity of the school's welding programs.
"Right now, (the welding program) has record numbers in it," said Davis. "In fact, we have had three sections of our structural welding this year, so it's the first time that we've ever had more than two sections. We also have a pretty healthy pipe welding enrollment in that also--those would be students that are back for the second year."
He adds that other trade classes, including HVAC installation and wind technology programs, are also near their enrollment caps of eight students. Additionally, Davis says they are projecting strong enrollment in one of their new offerings this year--a culinary arts program that will be held at the Shenandoah School District.
"I think we're going to have seven or eight in that program and of course, that will also be a program that will be growing in terms of offerings," said Davis. "So after this first year, we'll expand that to offer more certifications than that, because the culinary area has almost unlimited certifications. But, the students right now will be working on their Serve Safe certification, and then their Certified Fundamental Cook certification, and their culinary certification."
Davis says that one of their upcoming facilities projects will likely allow the school to relocate the culinary arts program to the Tarkio campus next year. But the offer from Shenandoah school officials, he says, allowed them to begin offering some of the certifications this year.
"So, we did not have a facility for that, but then Shenandoah offered us the availability of their kitchens there so that we could actually offer the class there," he said. "So that kind of allowed us to accelerate that program and to get started this year."
He notes the partnership with Shenandoah was also a chance to build off their existing ties through the district's IGNITE program, which offers online and hybrid classes along with work study and internships. The program also partners with various colleges, including Tarkio Tech.
"They were looking for some opportunities for some of their students to expand their education in these technical areas, because there's a very big growing demand for the technical areas--especially out in our rural areas," said Davis. "I mean, it's everywhere in the country but I think even more so in the rural areas because a lot of our students have those those hands-on type interest patterns. So it really worked well when they were offering that kitchen up there."
Davis adds that they have also started offering T2WF, or Transition to Workforce, programming--a series of 16 classes helping students develop skills such as attendance, communication, proper use of social media, and financing. He adds that they have also recently completed their first student dormitory on the campus--allowing them to extend their reach in terms of student recruitment.