Faith Baptist Bible College Launches New Applied Trades Program

The one-to-two-year associate degree program will teach students skills in electrical, plumbing, framing and more.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa has announced the launch of a new associate degree program focused on applied trades. The program, which will start this fall, will allow students to earn an Associate of Applied Trades degree with instruction in areas like electrical, plumbing, framing, and how these trades interact in the construction process. The college says the program was developed in response to high student and parent interest, as well as the needs of the current job market and Faith Baptist graduates heading to small churches and missions in rural Iowa.

Why it matters

The new applied trades program at Faith Baptist aims to provide students with a more holistic, hands-on education that goes beyond just learning a single trade. By exposing students to multiple construction-related skills, the college hopes to produce graduates who are more versatile and hireable. The program also aligns with the needs of Faith Baptist alumni who may take on construction, maintenance, and facilities work at small churches and mission sites.

The details

The one-to-two-year program will cover topics like electrical, plumbing, framing, and how these trades interact at different points in the construction process. In addition to technical skills, students will also learn about construction documentation, working with architects and engineers, developing contracts and budgets, and business aspects of the trades. The program will launch with 30 student slots, with plans to potentially expand to 50 or more in the future. Experienced tradespeople will assist with instruction as their specific areas are covered.

  • The new applied trades program will officially start this fall at Faith Baptist Bible College.
  • The college spent about two years researching and developing the program based on survey feedback from hundreds of interested students and parents.

The players

Mark Davis

The vice president for enrollment at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary.

Paul Pestel

A Faith Baptist and Iowa State University alum with over two decades of experience in construction and facilities management. He has been named chair of the new applied trades program and will teach introductory topics.

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

A private Christian college located in Ankeny, Iowa that is launching the new one-to-two-year associate degree program in applied trades.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We sent a survey out, said, 'Hey, we're thinking about this,' and we were just bombarded with interest. Hundreds of parents and students saying, if you add that, we would be interested.”

— Mark Davis, Vice President for Enrollment (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“It's more of a holistic approach. So, if you're going into a trade, traditionally, you have to choose, right? So I'm going to be a plumber, I'm going to be an electrician, whatever it might be. This is designed actually to get your feet wet in multiple trades, and to give you a skill set that's hireable.”

— Mark Davis, Vice President for Enrollment (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“These kids, they can go out and they can do well, because they're probably going to have great work ethics, but to be better versed in what the Bible really says and how doctrine works together in their real lives, that's the part I'm the most excited for.”

— Paul Pestel, Chair of the Applied Trades Program (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The college will start pursuing partnerships with job sites and others as it launches the new applied trades program.

The takeaway

Faith Baptist's new applied trades program aims to provide students with a more well-rounded education in construction-related skills, preparing them for versatile careers in the trades while also grounding them in biblical principles. This innovative approach to vocational training at a private Christian college is unique in the region.