Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Connecting Businesses to Growth and Talent
The Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development helps businesses access the partners and resources they need to grow and build strong teams. By working closely with schools, training providers, and community organizations, we create clear pathways into the city’s fastest-growing industries and support skill development at every stage of a career.
Below, you’ll find a list of Utah organizations and resources that can help with:
- Education and training programs
- Recruitment and hiring support
- Upskilling opportunities for employees
- Services that make work easier, like childcare and transportation support
Innovative Education and Training Programs
Universities, Colleges, & Technical Schools
University of Utah – A major research university with a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. David Eccles School of Business offers Utah’s only MS in Business Analytics and highly ranked MBA programs, plus entrepreneurship tracks like Lassonde that connect students with startup and business development opportunities.
Western Governors University – A national leader in online and adult-focused degrees. Well-recognized for business, IT, education, nursing, and healthcare programs designed to meet current workforce demand.
Brigham Young University – Well-recognized for business, IT, education, nursing, and healthcare programs and is known for high employer satisfaction due to career-aligned curriculum and skills-based outcomes.
Utah Valley University – The University offers 300+ programs from certificates to master’s degrees in areas like business, technology, health, education, and aviation. Their programs are known to be accessible and flexible for working students and first generation students.
Weber State University – Recognized for producing a large share of healthcare professionals in northern Utah, especially nursing and allied health fields. Weber State also offers “Building Puentes” program which offer credentials and degrees taught in Spanish to support bilingual workforce.
Utah State University – The University’s programs are known for their space science, aerospace, engineering, agriculture, energy, natural resources, and business research. TheUniversity operates 30+ campuses and 50+ research centers, which helps connect education, industry partners, and community needs.
Ensign College – Offers certificates, associate and bachelor of applied science degrees in areas such as business management, information technology, communication, and medical assisting with a strong focus on hands-on skills and workforce readiness.
Westminster College – Private liberal arts college offering business, nursing, education, science, and arts programs with small class sizes and strong faculty engagement.
Salt Lake Community College -Provides 120+ programs including health sciences, technology, business, HVAC/apprenticeships, graphic design, hospitality, and trades, many leading directly to employment. The college has strong community connections with local employers and career training partnerships.
Salt Lake Technical College– As part of Salt Lake Community College, the programs provide technical education and skill-based training to foster high-demand skills and abilities sought out by employers.
Davis Technical College– Offers training in more than 30 programs in the schools of Business and Information Technology, construction, Health Professions, manufacturing, service professions, and transportation.
Neumont College of Computer Science– A private college specializing in computer science and technology degrees.
Eagle Gate College– A private institution offering programs in nursing, healthcare, and business.
Career Pathways and Skill Building
Department of Workforce Services: Provides job seekers with support in crafting a resume, applying for jobs, connecting to training opportunities, and child care resources.
Talent Ready Utah: Explore pathways in aerospace manufacturing, life sciences, aviation, construction, and diesel mechanics that prepare students with credentials needed to quickly advance in these industries.
Utah Works: Utah Works is a partnership with Talent Ready Utah and Salt Lake Community College that offers tuition-free training for the following programs: nursing assistant, composites technician, aerospace assembly, injection molding technician, and industrial automation.
Utah Career Center: Provides hands-on training and apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and HVACR. Upon completion, apprentices will receive a program completion certificate.
STEM Action Center Utah: A division of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement tasked with advancing STEM education best practices in Utah.
Utah Women in Trades: Provides apprenticeships, skill-building workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities to women interested in pursuing for skilled trades.
Women Tech Council: A national organization driving women’s economic impact in tech by advancing programs from K-12 to the C-suite.
Recruitment & Training
Custom Fit Training: Custom Fit training money is used to help companies train their employees and is administered generally through state colleges and state applied technology centers.
On-the-Job Training: Offers reimbursement to employers who provide customized job training to participating employees
Apprenticeship Utah: The Registered Apprenticeship model allows you to build a pipeline of highly-skilled and highly-motivated workers while enhancing your bottom line.
Apprenti: Apprenti creates alternative pathways to access an array of tech talent and help organizations address digital skills shortages through the time-tested model of apprenticeship
CareerOneStop: A resource by the U.S. Department of Labor for businesses looking to hire, train, and retain skilled workforce. Employers can access labor market insights, explore grants and incentives for employee training, and find local workforce development programs.
