Pub. 8 2018 Issue 2

18 AT THE CENTER OF UTAH INDUSTRY Industry Engaged in Education Recently, the Utah Mining Association (UMA) joined Industry Engaged in Education, a workforce development coalition of industry trade groups and business leaders asking the governor, Legislature, and the Utah State Board of Education to more fully support Career and Technical Education – which directly impacts our businesses and economy. As part of an open letter to the governor the UMA co-signed, the members of Industry Engaged in Education pledged to support the state’s efforts by engaging directly with CTE students across the state: As leaders of industry, we know a focus on career and technical education (CTE) and improving our workforce are essential to sustain Utah’s booming economy.We stand united in our support of you, the Legislature, and education leaders in efforts to strengthen CTE in Utah. We know that the business community must do its part as well. To that end, industry commits to proactively support your focus on CTE by: • H i g h l i g h t i n g CTE c a r e e r s , challenging the idea that these are inferior career options. • Engaging with CTE students directly to provide a more authentic and appreciable understanding of careers that can result from CTE pathways. • Pr ov i d i ng endo r semen t and recognition of career and technical education programs from industry. Over the next several weeks and months leading up to the legislative session the coalition will work with policymakers to chart the best policy path forward to connect the right students to the right career opportunities, exploring the most effective ways to connect skills Utah students are most interested in developing with a path to personal career success – including in the mining industry. Look for additional opportunities for your business to join this coalition and tell policymakers to support your business by further linking CTE certifications to the careers you provide. So, how do you make a difference today? What can you do to directly impact and influence students? In today’s dynamic marketplace, businesses no longer have the luxury of simply hoping the education system sufficiently prepares the employees they need. Additionally, schools can no longer prepare students for an ambiguously defined career. We must all work together as true partners. Working with the Utah State Board of Education’s Career and Technical Education Department, with Precision Exams, and with the Utah Mining Association, you have the opportunity to directly influence learning in CTE