Education and Workforce Development Committee

It’s clear that as Utah Valley grows and changes, more jobs will become available and a wider range of skills will be needed to fill those jobs.

To help address this need, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Workforce Development Committee is examining how it can help students and businesses find their path to success. The committee’s members represent the entire spectrum of education, from grade school to university and technical education.

“Many opportunities are available to engage with education and workforce right now, especially K through 12,” said Aimee Edwards, Education and Workforce Development Committee chair and community affairs director for Western Governors University. “The committee is exploring options that would add value to Utah Valley businesses.”

Part of this work is examining what Edwards called Utah Valley’s “talent pipeline.” This can be an on and off ramp process through which students obtain the education they need to get good jobs in the valley.

“Our economy thrives when we have educated folks who are doing what they love,” Edwards said.

Her committee is in the process of determining what businesses and students need, what programs already exist and how the committee can help bring businesses and students together. “We’re working closely with our school districts and the business community to determine the needs and how we can connect the two,” she said.

Some of the possibilities include hosting and facilitating career fairs and business tours as well as getting students on the job training before they complete their education.

“What we’re hearing from our schools right now is they would love the businesses to get involved or become more involved in already existing pathway programs or internship programs,” Edwards said. These types of programs can lead to employers eventually hiring students.

“We know that for businesses, finding the right talent is key, and we are focused on how we can help,” Edwards said. “This committee is focused on promoting better educational practices that will help prepare our future workforce. We drive conversations that lead to increased funding in public and higher education. We also take the lead in facilitating partnerships between the public and private sector to provide better opportunities for growth. We look forward to you participating in the the discussions that will shape the future of education here in Utah Valley.”

- Aimee Edwards

Education and Workforce

Development Committee

Chair and Director of

Community Affairs at Western

Governors University

Photo by Jay Drowns, UVU Marketing

The talent pipeline looks much different now than it did a few decades ago when people earned a college degree and then expected to work for a company for 30 years. Today’s students have multiple education options and can evaluate what option is right for them.

“There is still value for that bachelors and master’s degree, and in addition we are exploring ways to help students that may want different options. Lifelong learning and continuing education are really important in today’s market,” Edwards said.

Education is the underlying foundation of a community, she said, and it is a big part of a community’s success.

“Education is the equalizer for economic mobility in a thriving community, and we need to continue to align education and workforce. If not, it would be detrimental to our kids and grandkids,” Edwards said. “We want a place where our kids and grandkids can thrive and raise families. Education is an important foundation for a successful life.”

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