Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., however, is worried about the future.

He fears that if something isn't done to maintain and improve the quality of education in Utah, that vaunted work force soon might lose its edge and be unable to compete in the fast-moving global economy.

"We need to make certain every element is in place to ensure we have a truly competitive work force," Huntsman said.

The governor made his remarks at a news conference Wednesday afternoon called to announce the formation of "The Globally Competitive Workforce Steering Committee" - a group of education, business and civic leaders brought together to formulate solutions to the challenges the state will face as its addresses the work force needs of tomorrow.

Utah's work force has been world class, Huntsman said. "It was true by yesterday's definition, and it might be true by today's definition. But this is to make sure it will be true by tomorrow's definition."

The 17-member committee includes such Utah business leaders as Lane Beattie, president of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce; Scott Anderson, chief executive of Zions Bank; and Jim Judd, president of the AFL-CIO of Utah.

Among the eduction leaders are well-known names such as Michael Young, president of the University of Utah; Kim Campbell, president of the Utah Education Association; Rich Sadler, chairman of the State Board of Education; and the state's commissioner of higher education, Dave Buhler.

The challenge in addressing the education and work force needs will be to not just stand back and be satisfied with the status quo, said Beattie. "We have to concentrate on making a difference."

Committee members, who also include Pattie Harrington, superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education, were asked by Huntsman to issue a report with policy recommendations in the fall. "It is important we get this right," he said.

Well-known Utah entrepreneur Dinesh Patel also will be serving on the committee, as will the governor's education director, Christine Kearl, and the director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Kristin Cox.

For Patel, the managing director of vSpring Capital, the issue of whether Utah will be able to compete is less of a philosophical challenge and more of a nuts-and-bolts problem.

"The obstacle the Utah economy faces is the lack of supply of qualified people - the engineers and scientists who are going to be in high demand in the future. We need to focus on preparing our children beginning in grades K-through-12 to step in and fill those positions."

Other community and political leaders on the committee are Pamela Atkinson, a long-time advocate for Utah's homeless; Gayle McKeachnie of the Governor's Office of Rural and Legislative Affairs; Utah state Sens. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, and Patricia Jones, D-Holladay; and state Reps. Phil Riesen, D-Holladay, and Greg Hughes, R-Draper.

steve@sltrib.com