CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah University is providing several tuition-free certificate programs to help people boost their careers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The certificates are part of Governor Herbert's "Learn & Work in Utah" initiative, which is helping to train unemployed and underemployed people who have been displaced from the workforce.
“Some individuals have found themselves displaced from their career, because their service industry or other occupation is no longer running at the capacity it did before. So they’re able to jump into one of these very short certificates and be able to gain access to knowledge and information that allows them to compete for positions in other occupations and make that transition seamlessly," said Stephen Lisonbee, Executive Director of SUU's Office of Regional Services.
The certificate programs were developed in response to the needs of employers around Utah, who have open positions but struggle to find qualified applicants.
SUU's Professional Development & Leadership program is offering certifications in the following areas:
- Aviation Maintenance Training
- Better Your Business
- Community Health Worker
- Cyber Security Fundamentals
- Enriched Teaching Skills & Practices for the Professional Instructor
- Online and Remote Teaching Basics
- Parks and Public Lands Stewardship
The four new additions to SUU's program are:
- Entrepreneurship: Case Studies and Applications
- Principles of Contemporary Animal Services
- Remote Work Foundations
- Systems Agility and Innovation Management
The certificate programs will require students to spend between two and 15 hours each week, depending on the course of study, as they work toward their goals.
“We’re looking for individuals that are invested with their time and their mind. And it’s great that the financial impact, that barrier is removed, but it will require a real engagement," Lisonbee said.