SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioUtah applauds the 2018 graduating class of the Medical Innovations Pathways (MIP) program. The 49 high school seniors from Alpine, Canyons, Davis, Granite, Jordan and Tooele school districts were awarded the Medical Innovations Certificate during a graduation ceremony on May 2 at the Utah state Capitol (view photos at www.medicalinnovationspathways.com). The industry-endorsed Certificate guarantees students a job interview with leading life sciences companies in the state. Utah leads the nation in average job growth in the life sciences and faces a shortage of skilled workers.
Val Hale, Executive Director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), presided over the ceremony and praised the students for their achievement. Braxton Chappell, a senior from Alta High School, spoke on behalf of the graduating class.
Travis Sessions, CEO of Biomerics and a member of the MIP Executive Committee, addressed students, parents, educators, government officials and guests as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. “It was a privilege to address these graduates,” said Sessions. “The MIP program is a great way to get students excited about working in the life sciences industry. Being a mentor and offering students meaningful career choices in an industry that drives innovation is important”.
Students who enroll in the MIP program choose a medical device manufacturing track or a laboratory track. Both tracks require students to complete certain classroom studies. In addition, students must spend time in the field doing job shadows with experienced industry professionals.
“Nelson welcomes bringing students into our laboratory,” said Jake Willis, Project Portfolio Manager for Nelson Laboratories, and Chair of the MIP Partnership. “Being on-site and seeing the work we do makes their classroom learning come alive. They get a firsthand look at how medical technologies can literally change the world.”
In partnership with GOED and local schools, BioUtah and life sciences companies are helping high school students become work ready for good-paying jobs and rewarding careers in the industry. The MIP program, launched as a pilot program last year, with the support of Governor Gary Herbert’s Talent Ready Utah initiative, has expanded to six school districts. Participating companies include BD Medical, BioFire, Biomerics, Edwards Lifesciences, Fresenius, GE Healthcare, Merit Medical, Nelson Laboratories, Sorenson Forensics, Stryker and Varex Imaging. Over 1,000 Utah life sciences companies provide more than 70,000 jobs in the state.
“MIP is a great example of the state’s culture of innovation and collaboration,” explained Kelly Slone, President and CEO of BioUtah, who was at the state Capitol to cheer on the graduates. “You have government, education and industry coming together to provide students with skills for the 21 century economy while helping to build a talent pipeline for the state’s fast-growing life sciences industry”.
About BioUtah - www.bioutah.org
BioUtah is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association serving Utah’s life sciences industry. Its member companies reflect a broad spectrum of the industry with strengths in medical device manufacturing and services, research and testing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, advanced diagnostics and healthcare IT, amongst others; and are a key driver of Utah’s economy.
