In December of 2014, the Boeing Company approached Utah to create a workforce development program to build its talent pipeline and fill high-demand jobs shared across multiple Utah aerospace companies. Talent Ready Utah is the impressive result of this request – an operational program designed to improve the workforce in Utah by bringing together businesses and educational institutions.
Talent Ready Utah is a fundamental part of the Utah System of Higher Education. Employers actually design the program and specify the knowledge and skills students needed to start a positive career in the aerospace industry following their high school graduation.
Here are some of the unique offerings of the Talent Ready Utah program:
- Creates partnerships between businesses and schools. This helps schools teach students the skills that businesses need.
- Offers programs that help students learn about different careers. There are also programs that help adults get new skills or training.
- Connects students with apprenticeship opportunities. Apprenticeships are jobs that allow you to learn a trade while you work.
Recognizing the evolving needs of Utah’s workforce, Talent Ready Utah doubled down in 2019 by introducing two impactful programs: Utah Works and Talent Ready Apprenticeship Connection (TRAC).
Utah Works addresses the needs of both job seekers and employers. This program offers individuals a fast-paced skills training program to kick start their careers, all within a few short weeks. Employers benefit by gaining access to a readily trained workforce, seeing a rapid return on their investment.
TRAC, inspired by the Swiss Apprenticeship model, provides a unique opportunity for high school students. Students participating in TRAC can begin their career training early by splitting their time between in-classroom learning and on-the-job experience. This allows them to earn college credits while gaining valuable practical skills, giving them a head start on their chosen career path.
Talent Ready Utah is effectively working today to ensure Utah has a well-trained workforce that meets the needs of businesses in the state tomorrow.