OPDD and ASTE Receive Grant to Advance Workforce Development Programs

Utah State University’s now 4-year-old Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program and the Technology Systems program within the Department of Applied Sciences, Technology, Education (ASTE) were awarded the grant of $99,520 from the Utah Department of Workforce Services to help create career pathways for students looking to work in outdoor product design, product development and manufacturing.

“State support like Talent Ready Utah help increase the university’s ability to create relevant and valuable training opportunities for our students,” said Chase Anderson, program coordinator for OPDD. “With this funding, we will be able to continue to help provide students with work and training opportunities recommended by industry partners that will be most valuable to helping them secure relevant positions in their desired field.”

Grant funding was awarded by the Utah Department of Workforce Services as a way to support the creation of solutions surrounding workforce issues in Utah’s economy.

“With today’s hot economy, more than ever it is essential for education and industry to work together to solve workforce challenges,” said Jon Pierpont, executive director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “This year’s grant winners have demonstrated a spirit of collaboration between industry and education with the overall objective to build Utah’s workforce.” 

Funding through this grant will help the Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education purchase equipment to train students for the jobs of tomorrow and help create on-campus internships and work opportunities by partnering with Utah brands to create jobs for students.