A new Center for Workforce Development facility has opened in Price. The 5,000 square foot renovated building is located on the Utah State University Eastern campus.
USU Eastern Chancellor Joe Peterson welcomed the community and students to the new facility during a ceremony Wednesday. He said the workforce development program is designed to give students training for jobs that are in demand.
"Companies around southeast Utah are always eager to hire people who are skilled in CAD programs like automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, welding and those kinds of things," Peterson said.
The new center will contribute to economic development and improves the quality of life for local citizens, Peterson said. The center provides long-term and short-term certificate training, as well as customized training and small business development assistance.
Peterson said through the programs students are assisted in acquiring the basic skills necessary to succeed in technical training programs and that workforce education prepares students to enter, re-enter, upgrade, or advance in the workplace.
The newly renovated center will also serve as a central location for USU Eastern students and members of the Castle Valley community to access employment and other workforce services. The college has provided office space for area agencies to assist in job placement and community training.
"It will allow us to coordinate better with local workforce agencies such as the Department of Workforce Services and vocational rehabilitation services,” Peterson said. “Those folks will gather in the center and there will be great collaboration.”
Peterson said the program also allows USU Eastern to work in close cooperation with business and industry, local school districts and the local agencies.
