USHE, USBE strengthen education to workforce pipeline
Utah is scaling a coordinated, statewide approach to career-connected learning, with more than $100 million awarded to 29 local education agencies (LEAs) to expand access to hands-on, profession-based education for K-12 students.
The Catalyst Center Grant Program, now APEX Center Grant Program, established through HB 447 in the 2025 legislative session, is administered by the Utah State Board of Education and supported through close collaboration with the Utah System of Higher Education, Talent Ready Utah and private-sector partners. The first round of funding supports locally developed programs aligned to regional workforce needs and existing postsecondary pathways.
“This program reflects the strong collaboration between Utah’s education and workforce partners to create clearer pathways for students,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah commissioner of higher education. “Through Talent Ready Utah and APEX, we are connecting education and industry so students can move more seamlessly from high school into certificates, degrees and employment while supporting the state’s workforce needs.”
USHE and Talent Ready Utah worked alongside USBE and industry partners to help ensure grant proposals complemented, rather than duplicated, existing programs offered by USHE technical colleges and degree-granting institutions.
“At USBE, our priority is ensuring every Utah student graduates with strong academic preparation and a clear path forward,” said Molly Hart, Utah state superintendent of public instruction. “The APEX Center Grant Program gives local schools the ability to connect learning to real opportunities so students can explore their interests, build meaningful skills and make informed decisions about what comes next. In partnership with USHE and industry leaders, we are bringing schools and postsecondary education into alignment so students are better prepared for their next step, whatever it may be.”
The initiative builds on the Catalyst Center model, where students engage in industry-aligned, project-based learning tied to specific career tracks. Funded programs span high-demand fields including health care, hospitality, information technology and aviation mechanics, providing students with early exposure to career options and opportunities to apply learning in real-world settings.
In addition to grant awards, partners are developing shared infrastructure to support long-term implementation, including a statewide Catalyst Center website, a business-to-education matchmaking platform, coordinated outreach and marketing and public-facing dashboards to track outcomes.