The Utah Department of Workforce Services has launched the 2019 Talent Ready Utah grant program with a focus on creating more education and industry partnerships. The grant program is dedicated to building more work-based learning and career pathway programs for students and adults participating in the labor force. The department has allocated $1 million for grants this year.
“The purpose of Talent Ready Utah is to build the state’s workforce,” said Tami Pyfer, education advisor to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. “Since my time serving in the governor’s office over the last five years, nothing has been more exciting to me than seeing the innovations stemming from this grant program, with education and industry working together and creating more opportunities for students and adults.”
Money for the grant program comes from the Department of Workforce Services job growth fund, which is dedicated by the legislature to invest back into the workforce. Since 2009, grants from this program have helped develop or expand more than 244 training programs, creating capacity for over 13,000 individuals participating in work-based learning opportunities.
“These grants are a true win-win,” said Melisa Stark, Talent Ready Utah grant program manager at Workforce Services. “Education and industry come together to better fulfill the workforce needs in our state and students and job seekers are provided more opportunities to qualify for high-demand and high-skilled occupations.”