UCAT seeks independent review board

Providers of career and technical education in Utah faced off with higher education recently as they defended a desire to maintain an independent institution.

"Community colleges are the most market-driven higher educational system in the United States," said Salt Lake Community College President Cynthia A. Bioteau, speaking on behalf of SLCC's role in offering career and technical education for interested students. She said the ability for a community college to respond to and provide for the needs of local labor markets is essential to the economy.

Bioteau's presentation to the Higher Education and Applied Technology Governance Committee included recommendations such as equalizing funds to all career and technical education programs in the state based on the courses offered and not the region they're offered; requiring accountability for students actually placed in jobs following CTE training; and finding ways to blend and leverage resources "as opposed to perpetuating or building competition," she said.

Throughout Utah, career and technical education is offered in different ways, and in most cases, the service is efficient. However, in Salt Lake and Tooele counties, previous reports have found overlap. Former Commissioner of Higher Education Rich Kendell recommended a consolidation of efforts to better serve students in the region and alleviate competition and duplication of resources.

The potential merger, along with other issues, has sparked heated conversation about vocational education and has led to the formation of the committee. They are charged with determining a viable governance structure for Utah College of Applied Technology and defining its role and mission to the state of Utah.

Mary Shumway, career and technical education director for the State Office of Education, said much of what secondary education students need is being taught by the applied technology colleges in regions of the state, but there is overlap while gaps are left in some areas.

"We're here to prepare the student for the next steps," she said. "We take them as far as we can."

A majority of secondary students receive CTE training within their school district, but the number of students served by UCAT is growing, Shumway said, adding that districts rely on UCAT for advanced course instruction.