North Central Utah, an eight county region known as the Wasatch Range region, is faceing a severe workforce shortage. The region, which includes Salt Lake City and Provo, seeks to develop a well-educated and well-trained workforce and provide the opportunities necessary to prosper economically.
High technology jobs - such as those in the life sciences industry - pay higher than the average job in Utah. The region will utilize the resources provided as a 2nd Generation WIRED region to train and prepare Utahans for jobs in the life sciences sector as well as expanding opportunities for employment in all high-growth industries.
The regional partnership has developed four strategies to promote economic and workforce development within the region:
Create outreach programs: Recruit and engage available workers and emphasize the region's potential employment strength.
Expand successful training programs: Lab-based training for students and educators.
Partner with research: Research universities, industry research and development laboratories to ensure the Utah biotechnology workforce meets the needs of Utah's most innovative companies.
Create a "bioincubator": Local education centers to be utilized by students to carry out small, entrepreneurial life science-based projects.
