{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-13-405","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 53H-13-405","heading":"Cooperative education program -- Requirements -- Administration and oversight.","body":"(1) The following entities shall collaborate to create and implement the co-op:\n(a) the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education;\n(b) an engineering focused trade association that the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in Section 53H-13-302 selects;\n(c) Weber State University;\n(d) University of Utah;\n(e) Utah State University;\n(f) Utah Tech University;\n(g) Southern Utah University;\n(h) Utah Valley University; and\n(i) Talent Ready Utah established in Section 53H-13-303.\n(2) The entities listed in Subsection (1) shall collaborate to:\n(a) establish program requirements and standards for cooperative education experiences that:\n(i) occur during a student's third or fourth academic year;\n(ii) are equivalent to two continuous academic terms; and\n(iii) align with degree requirements and career pathways;\n(b) develop the policies for academic credit recognition;\n(c) create program evaluation metrics;\n(d) maintain oversight of program implementation; and\n(e) focus the program's initial efforts on high-demand jobs in fields that require an engineering degree, including the life-sciences sector.\n(3) In accordance with the program components described under Subsection (2), a participating institution shall:\n(a) establish admission criteria for the cooperative education program;\n(b) create preparatory workshops that address:\n(i) career development;\n(ii) professional skill building;\n(iii) workplace communication; and\n(iv) employment preparation;\n(c) develop procedures for:\n(i) program orientation;\n(ii) academic progress monitoring;\n(iii) experience documentation; and\n(iv) performance evaluation;\n(d) assign a cooperative education advisor who will:\n(i) provide regular guidance;\n(ii) monitor academic alignment;\n(iii) coordinate with workplace mentors; and\n(iv) assess learning outcomes; and\n(e) maintain records of:\n(i) placement details;\n(ii) student progress;\n(iii) completed evaluations; and\n(iv) program outcomes.\n(4) The engineering focused trade association described in Subsection (1) shall:\n(a) identify and recruit qualified employers from the engineering focused trade association's membership;\n(b) communicate industry needs to participating institutions;\n(c) facilitate employer participation in co-op development; and\n(d) promote co-op opportunities within engineering sectors, including the life sciences sector.\n(5) The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education shall establish employment standards that require participating employers to:\n(a) provide compensation that:\n(i) meets or exceeds minimum wage requirements; and\n(ii) reflects industry standards for the position;\n(b) schedule work hours that:\n(i) total at least 32 hours per week; and\n(ii) accommodate academic requirements; and\n(c) maintain compliance with:\n(i) federal employment laws;\n(ii) state employment laws; and\n(iii) program participation requirements.\n(6) A cooperative education employer shall:\n(a) submit to the relevant participating institution:\n(i) detailed position descriptions;\n(ii) work location information;\n(iii) scheduling requirements; and\n(iv) supervisor contact details;\n(b) provide structured workplace experiences for a cooperative education employee that:\n(i) align with academic programs;\n(ii) develop professional skills;\n(iii) include regular supervision; and\n(iv) offer meaningful work assignments;\n(c) assign qualified workplace mentors for a cooperative education employee who will:\n(i) provide professional guidance;\n(ii) monitor work performance;\n(iii) coordinate with academic advisors; and\n(iv) complete required evaluations; and\n(d) conduct regular evaluations and monitoring as directed by the participating institution in consultation with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.","path":["Title 53H Higher Education","Chapter 53H-13 Workforce Development","Part 53H-13-4 Talent Connect"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53H/Chapter13/53H-13-S405.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:33Z","sha256":"d34438263f7425a2ad34a6d78805b862d8dfc916d009e0bd11a08fa391dfea2e","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-13-404","next":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-13-406"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}