According to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, more than 60 percent of graduating high school students will not choose to complete a degree at a college or university. Many of those will pursue service and industry jobs, of which 80 percent do not require a bachelor's degree, said Tom Bingham, president of the Utah Manufacturer's Association.

"Employers are waiting at the doors of the ATCs," he said. "They do not have time to wait for the workers they need." He said nearly 80 percent of the state's manufacturing companies are reporting shortages of qualified workers.

"I often say we must not confuse education with training because the two are not synonymous," Bingham said, asking the committee to align education with community needs.

"UCAT is positioned and prepared to be the technical college of choice for the majority of Utah's citizens who will not earn a bachelor's degree and who want or need technical training," said UCAT President Rick White.

The committee will meet up to eight times before the end of the year. The meetings are open to the public.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com