Utah Code § 53H-13-405 — Utah Code / Title 53H / Chapter 53H-13 / § 53H-13-405
§ 53H-13-405. Cooperative education program -- Requirements -- Administration and oversight.
Status: in_force

(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.