(1)The following entities shall collaborate to create and implement the co-op:
(1)(a) the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education;
(1)(b) an engineering focused trade association that the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in Section 53H-13-302 selects;
(1)(c) Weber State University;
(1)(d) University of Utah;
(1)(e) Utah State University;
(1)(f) Utah Tech University;
(1)(g) Southern Utah University;
(1)(h) Utah Valley University; and
(1)(i) Talent Ready Utah established in Section 53H-13-303.
(2)The entities listed in Subsection (1) shall collaborate to:
(2)(a) establish program requirements and standards for cooperative education experiences that:
(2)(a)(i) occur during a student's third or fourth academic year;
(2)(a)(ii) are equivalent to two continuous ac
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(1) The following entities shall collaborate to create and implement the co-op:
(1)(a) the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education;
(1)(b) an engineering focused trade association that the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in Section 53H-13-302 selects;
(1)(c) Weber State University;
(1)(d) University of Utah;
(1)(e) Utah State University;
(1)(f) Utah Tech University;
(1)(g) Southern Utah University;
(1)(h) Utah Valley University; and
(1)(i) Talent Ready Utah established in Section 53H-13-303.
(2) The entities listed in Subsection (1) shall collaborate to:
(2)(a) establish program requirements and standards for cooperative education experiences that:
(2)(a)(i) occur during a student's third or fourth academic year;
(2)(a)(ii) are equivalent to two continuous academic terms; and
(2)(a)(iii) align with degree requirements and career pathways;
(2)(b) develop the policies for academic credit recognition;
(2)(c) create program evaluation metrics;
(2)(d) maintain oversight of program implementation; and
(2)(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:
(3)(a) establish admission criteria for the cooperative education program;
(3)(b) create preparatory workshops that address:
(3)(b)(i) career development;
(3)(b)(ii) professional skill building;
(3)(b)(iii) workplace communication; and
(3)(b)(iv) employment preparation;
(3)(c) develop procedures for:
(3)(c)(i) program orientation;
(3)(c)(ii) academic progress monitoring;
(3)(c)(iii) experience documentation; and
(3)(c)(iv) performance evaluation;
(3)(d) assign a cooperative education advisor who will:
(3)(d)(i) provide regular guidance;
(3)(d)(ii) monitor academic alignment;
(3)(d)(iii) coordinate with workplace mentors; and
(3)(d)(iv) assess learning outcomes; and
(3)(e) maintain records of:
(3)(e)(i) placement details;
(3)(e)(ii) student progress;
(3)(e)(iii) completed evaluations; and
(3)(e)(iv) program outcomes.
(4) The engineering focused trade association described in Subsection (1) shall:
(4)(a) identify and recruit qualified employers from the engineering focused trade association's membership;
(4)(b) communicate industry needs to participating institutions;
(4)(c) facilitate employer participation in co-op development; and
(4)(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:
(5)(a) provide compensation that:
(5)(a)(i) meets or exceeds minimum wage requirements; and
(5)(a)(ii) reflects industry standards for the position;
(5)(b) schedule work hours that:
(5)(b)(i) total at least 32 hours per week; and
(5)(b)(ii) accommodate academic requirements; and
(5)(c) maintain compliance with:
(5)(c)(i) federal employment laws;
(5)(c)(ii) state employment laws; and
(5)(c)(iii) program participation requirements.
(6) A cooperative education employer shall:
(6)(a) submit to the relevant participating institution:
(6)(a)(i) detailed position descriptions;
(6)(a)(ii) work location information;
(6)(a)(iii) scheduling requirements; and
(6)(a)(iv) supervisor contact details;
(6)(b) provide structured workplace experiences for a cooperative education employee that:
(6)(b)(i) align with academic programs;
(6)(b)(ii) develop professional skills;
(6)(b)(iii) include regular supervision; and
(6)(b)(iv) offer meaningful work assignments;
(6)(c) assign qualified workplace mentors for a cooperative education employee who will:
(6)(c)(i) provide professional guidance;
(6)(c)(ii) monitor work performance;
(6)(c)(iii) coordinate with academic advisors; and
(6)(c)(iv) complete required evaluations; and
(6)(d) conduct regular evaluations and monitoring as directed by the participating institution in consultation with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.