This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah’s colleges and universities are strengthening workforce alignment and delivering real value for students and employers. Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner of Higher Education, joins us to discuss how these efforts are driving earnings, opportunity and long-term impact across the state.
Geoffrey Landward:
Utah’s public colleges are investing in partnerships with business and industry to better prepare students for today’s workforce. Together, we’re aligning degrees and certificates with the most in-demand skills, making sure programs stay relevant, responsive and driven by results.
Through Talent Ready Utah, our system is connecting high school students to apprenticeships where they can earn and learn on the job. And, recently, Mountainland Technical College launched Utah’s first Civil Construction program in partnership with Clyde Companies, preparing students in just four months for infrastructure careers.
These are just two examples of how hands-on experiences are helping Utah students gain practical skills and enter the workforce faster — leading to higher wages, stronger communities and continued innovation across industries.
The Utah System of Higher Education is focused on delivering a strong return on investment for students and the state — building a system that’s aligned, accountable and focused on opportunity for every student.
Learn more at ushe.edu.
Derek Miller:
Opportunity starts with education. Across Utah, public colleges and universities are preparing students for in-demand careers while strengthening our economy, supporting local industries and building stronger communities statewide. I’m Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.
