Governor Gordon Underscores Value of Vocational Education

In December of 2023, Governor Mark Gordon visited Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) in Rock Springs to participate in a series of community engagement events showcasing innovative educational initiatives. Among the highlights was a luncheon held at the Workforce Training Center spotlighting the WWCC Powerline Program. 

Made possible through funding from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), the Powerline Program equips participants with the specialized training and skills necessary for lucrative electrical power transmission and distribution careers, contributing to the state's workforce development efforts. Governor Gordon's presence underscored the importance of investing in vocational education and fostering partnerships between government, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to drive economic growth and provide opportunities for Wyoming's workforce.

Laying the Groundwork

WIP launched a range of programs in Phase I, including the establishment of the School of Computing to strengthen the state’s digital capabilities, powerline technology and fiber optics programs to enhance energy sector expertise, entrepreneurship support through the Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) and other institutions, and healthcare programs addressing critical shortages in echocardiography technologists and certified nursing assistants.

These are the key metrics from Phase I.

WIP prioritizes partnership infrastructure to ensure administrative support, facilitate course sharing among higher education institutions, and integrate virtual reality technology into education. These comprehensive efforts demonstrate WIP's commitment to developing Wyoming's workforce by equipping individuals with the necessary skills and fostering collaboration to drive economic growth and innovation in the state.

Developing Wyoming's Workforce

WIP Workforce Development programs are at the forefront of addressing critical workforce needs by supporting students from recruitment to job placement across industries. These programs, ranging from training certificates to degree programs, apprenticeships, and internships, are responsive to community needs to fill workforce gaps. 

Sheridan College, backed by the WIP, is spearheading a project aimed at bolstering workforce development in the construction trades sector. This initiative entails funding a workforce development administrative position to oversee pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programming, facilitating connections between students and employment opportunities, and building industry partnerships crucial for the success of graduates entering the Wyoming workforce. Additionally, the project includes investing in cutting-edge equipment to enhance teaching and learning in construction trades to ensure students are well-prepared for the demands of the job market.

The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Business Training and Support Unit is aligning its efforts with WIP's focus on retaining young adults in Wyoming with young adult internships. These internships, spanning over two years, aim to expose young adults to viable career pathways and diverse industries within the state. By supplementing existing internship programs with targeted funding, DWS seeks to raise awareness among young adults about career opportunities in Wyoming while providing businesses with a pipeline of skilled workers through structured, hands-on learning experiences.

In Phase II of WIP, Gillette College began expanding its non-credit training offerings to enhance the skill sets of and support individuals looking to transition into new careers within their industry. Thus far, Gillette College has led five industry-led trainings to more than 60 participants and expects to continue working with industry partners to develop relevant trainings to support local workforce needs. The college's Workforce and Community Development department is working on a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program to address the significant demand for trained CDL drivers in Northeast Wyoming. With weekly requests for CDL training and high schools expressing interest in offering CDL programs to students, the initiative aims to meet the growing demand for skilled CDL drivers statewide.

Wyoming is Career Ready with WIP

“Career Ready looks different to a lot of people here in Wyoming. The Wyoming Innovation Partnership is creating an environment that encourages educational institutes across the state to collaborate with each other and build programs that solve real Wyoming workforce challenges.”

- Laurel Ballard

WDE Innovations Officer and Member of the Presidential Steering Committee

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