In Northern Utah, Weber County and local industry use partnering as a means of working together to keep pace with the accelerating need for workforce readiness. From the economic perspective, this is best recognized with one particular industrial cluster in the count: metal & machine trades. With an emphasis on aircraft and aerospace parts production, automation and the conversion to lean production practices are raising the bar on workforce readiness within this employer group. This presents significant challenges to insure a workforce with the necessary skills is prepared in sufficient number to meet the demand for emerging growth and business expansion opportunities.

     The Ogden Weber Applied Technology College (OWATC) is part of the Utah College of Applied Technology, the state's front line industrial training institution. OWATC has for years worked with local manufacturers to establish what many consider the best skilled machining program in the state. As new business expansion opportunities in Aircraft and Aerospace parts and related industries began emerging in the post recession era, it became apparent that higher enrollments in skilled machining were necessary to match needs for increased production capability. In response to this situation, several local manufacturers, working with the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College, the Weber Economic Development Corporation, and the Odgen Weber Chamber of Commerce initiated a marketing campaign to "re-brand" skilled machining, and more effectively promote the job opportunities associated with these skills. The newly developed website that illustrates the effort, www.numachining.com, with companion CD-Rom disks, is available to high school students and other interested persons. Enrollment in the OWATC's program has increased significantly, assuring a steady supply of properly trained workers for emerging jobs in this sector of the economy.
     Along with this highly developed, private sector driven machining program, the OWATC is a source for training in sheet metal fabrication and welding. The program offers a variety of proficiency levels, moving from basic welding principles to blueprint reading and welding to customer provided specifications. Another local resource to add further refinement to the welder training process is Weber State University, which offers sophisticated welding processes within its Manufacturing Engineering Technology program. This emphasis within the manufacturing program teaches students about the latest welding processes and procedures for use in a production environment. Courses in advanced computer-aided design are also part of the University's curriculum in the Design Graphics Engineering Technology program.
     Custom fit training, which allows for the direct participation of an individual company in the training process, provides opportunity for delivery of training specific to the needs of that company. This makes for a highly flexible training model, and is widely utilized by local business. In addition to meting the needs of local industry, the OWATC offers a broad array of courses to train individuals for meaningful employment. More information about the OWATC can be viewed at www.owatc.org.

     Weber County, with the 3rd largest manufacturing sector in the state, continues to focus on the needs of manufacturing. Other important areas of interest include the neutraceuticals cluster (formulation and encapsulation of vitamin, mineral, and food supplements), and an emerging recreational products cluster. The Weber Economic Development Corporation provides site search and related information for companies interested in exploring locations in Northern Utah, and continues to work closely with existing business leaders to insure that a strong and vibrant business environment exists. An annual business visitation and survey program is conducted to identify emerging opportunities and challenges facing the business community, serving as a basis for business retention and expansion efforts, and a subsequent summary report of the results is published. The Weber EDC is presently working with others to create a new 260+ acre business park served with two Interstate-15 interchanges and rail, and offers referral services for the Business Depot Ogden, a former military base that has been most successfully converted for use as a business park. Yet another example of partnership with business in the realm of workforce development is the Northern Utah Manufacturer's Alliance (NUMA), a "non-profit alliance consisting of local companies, government, and educational providers advancing best practices, workforce development, and management expertise." Our intent is to be internationally recognized as a world class manufacturing environment. More information about Weber EDC can be found at: www.webergrowth.com.

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