oversight. (1) The following entities shall collaborate to create and implement the co-op: (a) the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; (b) an engineering focused trade association that the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in Section 53H-13-302 selects; (c) Weber State University; (d) University of Utah; (e) Utah State University; (f) Utah Tech University; (g) Southern Utah University; (h) Utah Valley University; and (i) Talent Ready Utah established in Section 53H-13-303. (2) The entities listed in Subsection (1) shall collaborate to: (a) establish program requirements and standards for cooperative education experiences that: (i) occur during a student's third or fourth academic year; (ii) are equivalent to two continuous academic terms; and (iii) align with degree requirements and career pathways; (b) develop the policies for academic credit recognition; (c) create program evaluation metrics; (d) maintain oversight of program implementation; and (e) focus the program's initial efforts on high-demand jobs in fields that require an engineering degree, including the life-sciences sector. (3) In accordance with the program components described under Subsection (2), a participating institution shall: (a) establish admission criteria for the cooperative education program; (b) create preparatory workshops that address: (i) career development; (ii) professional skill building; (iii) workplace communication; and (iv) employment preparation; (c) develop procedures for: (i) program orientation; (ii) academic progress monitoring; (iii) experience documentation; and (iv) performance evaluation; (d) assign a cooperative education advisor who will: (i) provide regular guidance; (ii) monitor academic alignment; (iii) coordinate with workplace mentors; and (iv) assess learning outcomes; and (e) maintain records of: (i) placement details; (ii) student progress; (iii) completed evaluations; and (iv) program outcomes. (4) The engineering focused trade association described in Subsection (1) shall: (a) identify and recruit qualified employers from the engineering focused trade association's membership; (b) communicate industry needs to participating institutions; (c) facilitate employer participation in co-op development; and (d) promote co-op opportunities within engineering sectors, including the life sciences sector. (5) The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education shall establish employment standards that require participating employers to: (a) provide compensation that: (i) meets or exceeds minimum wage requirements; and (ii) reflects industry standards for the position; (b) schedule work hours that: (i) total at least 32 hours per week; and (ii) accommodate academic requirements; and (c) maintain compliance with: (i) federal employment laws; (ii) state employment laws; and (iii) program participation requirements. (6) A cooperative education employer shall: (a) submit to the relevant participating institution: (i) detailed position descriptions; (ii) work location information; (iii) scheduling requirements; and (iv) supervisor contact details; (b) provide structured workplace experiences for a cooperative education employee that: (i) align with academic programs; (ii) develop professional skills; (iii) include regular supervision; and (iv) offer meaningful work assignments; (c) assign qualified workplace mentors for a cooperative education employee who will: (i) provide professional guidance; (ii) monitor work performance; (iii) coordinate with academic advisors; and (iv) complete required evaluations; and (d) conduct regular evaluations and monitoring as directed by the participating institution in consultation with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1
‹ Prev All Utah sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.