Carbon County, USU Eastern Team up to bring New Technical Programs to Local Students

USU Eastern hires Warren Tyler Agner as their Industrial Technology and Manufacturing Systems Program Coordinator for the Talent Ready Utah Grant program.
In late March, Carbon County Commissioner Jake Mellor hosted two Career Pathways meetings to discuss the possibility of developing a concurrent enrollment curriculum for students interested in technical careers. In attendance were local businesses that employ engineers, Carbon County School District representatives, Pinnacle Academy and USU Eastern (USUE).
Vice Chancellor Gary Straquadine and Mellor have worked diligently to bring this technical education curriculum to USUE, Carbon High and Pinnacle Academy high school students. In April, Straquadine applied for a Talent Ready Utah Grant and was awarded $50,000. This provided USUE the opportunity to hire a program coordinator to help bring this program to fruition.
Agner comes to USUE with an impressive resume, his experience ranges from a Product Application Engineering Specialist to a Co-Designer and Co-Resident Director for a Community Development Project in Honduras. In Honduras Agner participated in the creation of a vocational school that included programs such as Auto Mechanics, Welding, Refrigeration/HVAC, Sewing, Motorcycle Repair and Computer Repair.
“When originally approached to add this program to our curriculum, I envisioned a remarkable opportunity for our community and the University,” Straquadine continues, “When Warren was chosen as the Program Coordinator, I knew the knowledge and expertise he would bring to developing this new program would be crucial to its success.”
Mellor serves as chair for the Career Pathways Committee through the state. The focus of this committee is to look at strategies that will guide students from a young age into specific career paths. In conjunction with concurrent enrollment, which is designed for 11th and 12th grade students, Mellor is hoping to bring some of the concepts and learning to middle school aged children in a fun, interactive manner. By doing so, children have more time to explore the vast opportunities in technical education and, in turn, make the best career choices.
“This type of program serves two purposes for me as a County Commissioner. First, it will provide our children, who are our most valuable resource, a new and exciting career path,” Mellor continues, “The second, is the possibility of developing a highly skilled workforce for our current businesses and potential future businesses.”
With the most recent step in developing this program, Straquadine and Mellor remain optimistic and will continue to inform the community of their progress.
For more information regarding the career pathways program, contact Commissioner Mellor at jake.mellor@carbon.utah.gov or 435-636-3226.