The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) won a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for the Utah career pathways program, a project in the category of Partnership with Educational Institutions of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Career pathways programs encourage industry partners to collaborate with education leaders to address critical workforce needs. Utah businesses in aerospace manufacturing, diesel tech and life science have led the way in creating innovative work-based learning programs that connect high school students and adult learners with education pathways to quality, high-paying jobs.
“Companies across all industry sectors tell us their number one challenge is workforce,” said Val Hale, GOED executive director. “Our pathways programs train students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, while connecting Utah companies to top-notch talent in our state.”
In his State of the State address in January, Gov. Herbert announced Talent Ready Utah to help fill 40,000 new high-skill, high-paying jobs over the next four years. Talent Ready Utah builds upon the momentum of existing career pathways programs and provides the resources needed to connect industry and education.
“On behalf of the IEDC board of directors and Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee, congratulations to the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development,” said Michael Langley, CEO of Greater MPS and 2017 IEDC Board Chair. “Not only did they work to provide a necessary service to their community; but also, their participation in the awards program sheds light on their stellar projects which other communities can now use as a benchmark.”
The award was presented at an awards ceremony on Sept. 19 during the IEDC Annual Conference, held Sept. 17-20 in Toronto, Canada.