(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.