Workforce & Education ::

Wyoming Workforce

Today's diverse Wyoming workforce is educated and skilled as the top ranking workforce with internet access and technology. Workers are supported by a statewide commitment to bring technology into Wyoming classrooms, workplaces and homes. Wyoming is among the top ten states for the percentage of adults with Internet access and technology in the schools and fourth in per capita funding of public education. Wyoming ranks second in the nation for the highest percent of people aged 25 and older that completed high school at 90.7 percent.

Wyoming is top in the nation for high growth industries and has state programs to aide the Wyoming workforce. Wyoming offers high-paying employment opportunities for skilled workers.

The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting industries saw the highest percent of growth from 1998 to 2003 at 67.06%. Retail Trade saw the second highest percent of growth for the same time period at 39.60%.

Workforce: Wyoming has an unemployment rate of only 3.3%. Wyoming offers the following programs to aide the state’s workforce:

• Wyoming Department of Workforce Services - Offers help to employers seeking training, including workforce training grants.
• Workforce Development Training Fund Grants - The Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF) is administered by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Two major types of grants are provided through the WDTF: Business Training Grants, which provide opportunities for Wyoming's new or current businesses to create new jobs or to complete necessary skill upgrades to stay competitive in today's economy; and Pre-Hire Economic Development Grants, which are used as a pre-employment, workforce development tool to prepare workers to fill gaps in high-demand/high-growth occupations. Pre-approval of funding for large business expansions or relocations to Wyoming may be applied for through a Pre-Obligation of WDTF funds application. Please see the web site at www.wyomingworkforce.org/wdtf for more details.
• Wyoming Workforce Alliance - Is a partnership between the Wyoming Business Council, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Community College Commission to improve access to training.
• Training Programs - The Wyoming Business Council facilitates the licensing and implementation of nationally recognized workforce training programs such as the following: Quick Start, Development Dimensions International (DDI)

Wyoming has jobs! Read about it in the New York Times. Flush With Jobs, Wyoming Woos Rust Belt Labor. Source New York Times. View the story.

Wyoming Education

• Wyoming offers world-class educational opportunities for high school students to attend college. Read about the Hathaway Scholarship Program.
• University of Wyoming Milks Boom - The Denver Post 8/21/06... details
• With Energy-Tax Bonanza, Wyoming Schools Enjoy Windfall - The New York Times 3/16/06... details

The University of Wyoming is the state’s only 4-year university and the state’s provider of baccalaureate and graduate education and outreach services. UW combines major university benefits and small school advantages with more than 180 programs, outstanding faculty and world-class research facilities set against the idyllic backdrop of rugged mountains and high plains.

The main campus is located in Laramie, approximately two hours north of Denver. The university maintains the UW/Casper College Center, nine outreach centers across Wyoming and Extension Service centers in each of the state’s 23 counties and on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The university ranks 17th nationally in the number of students majoring in science, engineering and mathematics disciplines. Enrollment is comprised of 9,352 undergraduate students plus 2,669 enrolled in numerous masers and doctoral programs in science, engineering, mathematics, economics and finance and education. Visit the University of Wyoming site.

Wyoming’s commitment to education is backed by strong working partnerships with the University of Wyoming in Laramie and the seven community colleges located in:

• Sheridan – Sheridan College (Northern Wyoming College)
• Powell – Northwest College
• Riverton – Central Wyoming College
• Casper – Casper College
• Rock Springs – Western Wyoming Community College
• Torrington – Eastern Wyoming Community College
• Cheyenne – Laramie County Community College

The Wyoming Business Council and the community colleges partner to bring employment training programs to meet the specific needs of businesses in the area.

Education