In June 2015, the Higher Learning Commission approved Navajo Technical University (NTU) to begin offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in chemical engineering technology to fill a regional need for workers in industrial and manufacturing plants. However, only two students are currently enrolled in the Chemical Engineering Technology Program in spite of being located in a region rich in oil and gas fields.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 66,500 jobs in the chemical engineering technology field, which is the primary reason NTU had developed the program. “There’s a lot of places to find employment in the region, including Albuquerque, the Four Corners area, Farmington, and Gallup,” says chemical engineering technology instructor Dr. Gholam Ehteshami, citing companies like Western Refinery, Navajo Oil and Gas Company, and Arizona Public Service Company. “If you become a chemical technician you have a big chance to find a job in this area.”

There are two types of chemical engineering technicians that NTU hopes to produce: laboratory and process technicians. Laboratory technicians operate standard laboratory equipment and conduct laboratory procedures ranging from routine process control to complex research projects. Process technicians, alternatively, perform chemical tests and experiments for quality, performance, or composition. The role of a chemical engineering technician has changed drastically over the years where technicians now hold responsibilities that were once designated to engineers.

“In the past, most chemical technicians were trained on the job,” explains Dr. Ehteshami, who also serves as the chair of NTU’s School of Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology. “Today, industry demands a solid foundation in applied basic chemistry and math, plus experience using various kinds of standard lab ware. Computer knowledge and oral and written communication skills are also required.”

Chemical engineering technicians have many duties, but their main focus is running production units and working on industrial processes designed to convert raw material into petroleum products. As part of this duty they help design operations, implement process controls, and address corrosion concerns, both in the field and in large plants. Technicians also research products and technologies as well as environmental and reclamation techniques, which according to Dr. Ehteshami, provide a good opportunity for students given the high number of abandoned mine sites on and around the Navajo Nation.

“It’s interesting. I never knew that an associate’s degree would be so valuable,” says Jonathan Largo, who is one of the two students currently enrolled in the program. “In class we did a quick Google search for jobs available and instantly thousands of jobs came up making anywhere from $35-60,000 a year.”

Largo had graduated last year from NTU with a degree in industrial engineering, but because the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology requires an additional two higher level mathematics courses, Largo returned to NTU to meet the requirement. While doing so he figured it would be a good opportunity to learn more and he enrolled in the Chemical Engineering Technology Program.

“It’s a lot like industrial engineering in that it all starts with the employees in making sure everything is done correctly,” says Largo, reflecting on each program. “If something small isn’t correct, it will have a ripple effect.”

NTU is hoping that its Chemical Engineering Technology Program will have a ripple effect on improving the economic landscape of the Navajo Nation. In the coming months Dr. Ehteshami will be reaching out to area high schools in spreading the word about the program, as well as to industry professionals who want to advance their position with a degree.