SUU Announces Four Upcoming, No-Cost Certificates With Learn & Work in Utah

Published: June 24, 2021 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 4 minutes

Southern Utah University has been approved to offer four tuition-free certificates as part of the second year of the Utah System of Higher Education’s Learn and Work in Utah funding. SUU’s Community and Professional Development department is offering three certificates designed to help unemployed or vulnerable workers gain skills valuable to the workforce including a Community Health Worker Certificate, Parks & Tourism Certificate, and Manufacturing & Aviation Systems Management Certificate. The SUU School of Business will offer the fourth tuition-free certificate in Project Management.

“SUU is happy to be included in this upcoming round of Learn and Work offerings and to help get Utahns back to work or up-skill to gain better employment," said Susie Knudsen, assistant director of SUU Community and Professional Development. "We have 325 seats available to students across the state who are interested in learning something new while elevating career skills."

The four certifications are offered at no cost to Utah residents who are unemployed or underemployed due to COVID-19. Programs are offered completely online, giving adult learners the flexibility to work at their own pace to boost their resumes and careers.

SUU’s Parks & Tourism certificate begins on July 19 and teaches students about Utah’s dynamic tourism industry and gives them a unique understanding of Utah’s parks through discussion with industry professionals, reflections, assignments, skills assessment and work-based learning time.

“In our industry, we recognize the growing need for quality professionals and have seen a growing demand in our region,” said Maria Twitchell, executive director of Visit Cedar City • Brian Head, Iron County’s official destination marketing and management organization. “Facilitating training opportunities and tourism/recreation career pathways is one of the key initiatives in our Iron County Destination Development & Management plan. The Parks & Tourism certificate provides training that we feel is in line with the needs of our tourism business and we would recommend our partners hire applicants who have this training on their resume.”

The Project Management certificate focuses on the practical application and best practices of the project management framework. Participants in the program gain the knowledge necessary to enter a project management career, acquire increased credibility, increase their salary prospects and lay a foundation for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification, considered the gold standard in the world of project management.

“I am very excited that we have received funding for this program,” said Dr. Travis Simkins. assistant professor of marketing at SUU. “I am grateful to those who see the value in project management education and want to support SUU students in acquiring a valuable industry credential.”
SUU’s Community and Professional Development Office will also offer certificates in Community Health Worker and Manufacturing & Aviation Systems Management. The Community Health Worker training is a nine-week certificate program offering introduction to the profession and begins on July 15, 2021.

“I work with an organization that focuses on health equity, opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery, and rural/Tribal communities,” said Cori Perkins, a community health worker. “The certification has helped me be more relatable to the populations we serve, as well as be more understanding of the process people need to progress through to be successful in reaching health goals.”

The Manufacturing & Aviation Systems Management program focuses on systems-based operational approaches tailored to the professional manager who is committed to continuous improvement. This certification can be applied across government, healthcare, education and industry professions. The program begins September 8, 2021 and registration closes on September 3.

“System, Agility and Innovation Management is important for every working individual,” said Brooke Smith, Herriman UT, Systems Management student. “It helps you approach and respond to situations with a different lens. It shifts your mindset to thinking about the bigger problem and can make a significant impact on your personal and professional life.”

The Learn & Work In Utah initiative was launched by the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development and its Talent Ready Utah team, in partnership with the Utah System of Higher Education. In July 2020, the Utah State Legislature allocated $4,500,000 to the Utah System of Higher Education to create in-demand, short-term educational programs to promote furloughed, laid-off, or dislocated workers, as well as underserved or other populations affected by COVID-19 in accordance with the federal CARES Act.

Learn more about SUU’s Community and Professional Development offerings.

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Tags: Regional Services Community and Professional Development

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