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House approves funding expansion for Utah Enterprise Network to retain graduates
Summary
Lawmakers approved a substitute bill to expand the Utah engineering network into a statewide Utah Enterprise Network to help match graduates with in-state employers; first-year cost cited as $150,000 with subsequent years ~ $85,000. The House passed the substitute 62-0 and referred it to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 10 approved a substitute bill to expand the state’s existing Utah Engineering Network into the Utah Enterprise Network (UEN), aiming to connect graduates from post-secondary institutions with Utah employers.
Representative Asper, the sponsor, said the network will maintain a registry of graduates and alumni so businesses recruiting in-state or from out of state can identify Utah-trained talent. A written communication from the Utah Information Technologies Association (UETA) — read into the record — said the association represents about 850 companies employing 55,000 people and strongly supports the expansion.
The bill carries a fiscal note of $150,000 for the first year and about $85,000 in subsequent years, figures the sponsor cited on the floor. Representative Asper said the program will help attract and retain high-tech industry by reconnecting graduates with Utah employers and addressing the “catch-22” where graduates leave the state because of perceived lack of job opportunities.
After brief discussion and a waived summation, the House voted to pass the substitute bill 62-0; it will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
