Developing the 21st Century Workforce: Utah-Japan Collaboration

On March 11, 2020, Sasakawa USA held a workforce development event in Orem, Utah, at Utah Valley University (UVU). This event was co-sponsored by UVU’s Office of Global Engagement (as a part of their Global Spotlight Program), the Consulate General of Japan in Denver, and the World Trade Center Utah. The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) and their local affiliate, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy (UCCD), alongside the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Whitmore Global Management Center (Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business) also served as partners for their efforts in promotion.

Event Description

In September 2019, Governor Gary Herbert of Utah led a trade mission to Japan, accompanied by representatives from 22 of Utah’s leading companies and organizations. The trade mission was organized by the World Trade Center Utah and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and was aimed at exploring opportunities for Japanese investment in Utah and the growth prospects for Utah companies in Japan.

For local government officials and educators, as well as for Japanese companies interested in or already investing in Utah, local workforce development is a top priority for securing overseas investment. Through convening leaders from Japanese and Utahn business, plus state and local authorities, this event aims to identify the interests of all parties, the requisite workforce in Utah to support Japanese investment, and the opportunities Utah can bring to the table. Additionally, it will highlight challenges that Utah faces to recruit and train the necessary workforce and how Japanese and U.S. companies, state and local authorities, and educational institutions can work together to address them.

To accomplish these goals, the panel convened perspectives from Japanese and Utah businesses, plus the Utah state government in order to provide a comprehensive status report on the Utah workforce. The panel then continued to highlight Utah’s strengths, including a vibrant and growing population and the particular comparative advantage of the “Silicon Slopes” in defining Utah’s emerging leadership in the technology industry.

Agenda
All times indicated in Mountain Time.

10:00-10:30AM            Registration
10:30-10:45AM            Welcome Remarks
10:45-11:30AM            Panel Discussion
11:30AM-12:00PM      Audience Q&A (30 minutes)

Photos

Photos: Gabe Mayberry

Please re-visit after the event for a full event recording.