Governor’s Office names Kimberlee Carlile as inaugural director of Talent Ready Utah Center

Pete CodellaNews, Talent Ready Utah

Kimberlee Carlile headshot

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) has named Kimberlee Carlile as the first director of the Talent Ready Utah Center.

In this role, Carlile will oversee the center’s efforts to develop solutions that align education and industry needs. Her experience will be invaluable including her work to establish Utah’s nationally recognized Pathway Programs.

The Talent Ready Utah Center will convene partnerships that help Utah students become career ready, while ensuring businesses in the state have a qualified workforce. These partnerships include the Utah State Board of Education, the Utah Technical Education System, the Utah System of Higher Education, the Department of Workforce Services, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Salt Lake Chamber, Gov. Herbert’s education advisor and Utah State Legislators.

“Kimberlee has been an important part of helping to meet our state’s workforce challenges,” said Gov. Gary R. Herbert. “She has worked across many industry sectors to connect Utah companies and fill talent pipeline needs in our state.”

Carlile assisted with the creation of the Utah Aerospace Pathways program, which has received national recognition. She has helped replicate the program for Diesel Technology, Medical Innovations and Technology Educational Pathways. A high priority at the center is to develop Pathways Programs and similar initiatives, allowing every student in the state an opportunity to develop market-ready skills while still in high school.

Carlile has served as a mentor to other states who look to Utah as an innovative leader in stackable credentials, work-based learning and industry alignment. Her work with the National Governors Association, as well as the Western Governors’ Association has put Talent Ready Utah at the forefront.

“Kimberlee has been a critical part of the success of the Utah Aerospace Pathways program,” said Boeing Salt Lake General Manager Laura Bogusch. “It’s exciting to see Talent Ready Utah leverage her expertise to further develop Utah’s workforce and take the program to the next level.”

During the 2018 General Legislative Session, the Utah State Legislature created the Talent Ready Utah Center. In 2017, Gov. Gary R. Herbert announced the first steps for a Talent Ready Utah program with a goal to fill 40,000 new high-skill, high-demand jobs over the next four years. The Talent Ready Utah program has been cited as a best practice and model for work-based learning throughout the nation.

“We are very pleased to see Talent Ready Utah, and pathways programs, advance and grow,” said Ken Eliasen, vice president of plant operations, Edwards Lifesciences. “We are a proud participant in this effort, and Kimberlee has been an important part of the success of the Medical Innovations Pathways program.  I am confident she will continue to be an impactful partner and leader as she enhances Talent Ready Utah.”

Before her appointment as the director of the Talent Ready Utah Center, Carlile served as the director of industry and talent initiatives for GOED and managed communications at Avenue H. Carlile received her bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University in communications with a minor in business management and a certificate in leadership. Carlile is a native of Heber City, Utah.