Utah State University has joined with the governor’s office and the Utah System of Higher Education’s Learn and Work program to provide short-term training for people who are unemployed, underemployed, or vulnerable to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a partnership with the office of Utah Governor Gary Herbert, some available courses will be 100% online or blended to provide convenient options. The programs are free for those who qualify.
President Noelle E Cockett stated that the university has partnered with communities and industry to create necessary training programs, which can be found on the USU Learn and Work in Utah website. She expressed hope that individuals will use this opportunity to advance or pivot their careers.
For qualifying individuals who are legal residents of Utah and are unemployed or underemployed due to COVID-19, tuition will be covered through funding received by the governor’s office from the federal CARES Act. The credits earned are stackable and can be applied toward certain associate or bachelor's degree programs.
USU is offering 100% online certificate options for web/mobile development, software development, teaching, and cloud computing. Students completing these certifications receive a 50% discount on Amazon’s certification exams. Additionally, the Career and Technical Education Academy is available 100% online to help educators complete continuing education units.
In Blanding, students can prepare to become certified nursing assistants through the Learn and Work Utah program as part of an effort to address statewide nursing shortages. Blanding also offers Heavy Equipment and Trucking options for those seeking a Commercial Drivers License, utilizing competency-based training and realistic simulators.
Time to completion varies by program. At this time, funding is only available for the fall semester, and interested individuals should apply immediately. More information can be found at usu.edu/learnwork/.
