PHASE I, II, & III PROGRAMS
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The WIP Workforce Development programs support students from recruitment to job placement and have a variety of training certificates, degree programs, apprenticeships, and internships. These programs identify community needs and have pivoted efficiently to fill the workforce gaps.
PHASE II KEY METRICS
The Workforce Development programs under the WIP support students from recruitment to job placement, encompassing various training certificates, degree programs, apprenticeships, and internships. These programs are designed to identify community needs and adapt efficiently to address workforce gaps, ensuring that Wyoming’s industries have a steady supply of skilled workers.
PHASE III KEY METRICS
Developing a skilled, adaptable workforce is central to the WIP’s mission. Through targeted programs, training initiatives, and industry partnerships, Wyoming residents are gaining the skills needed to meet current and emerging workforce demands. From pre-apprenticeship pathways and internship placements to collaboration with K–12 schools, community colleges, and employers, these efforts are expanding access to hands-on learning and professional development. By aligning education with industry needs, Wyoming’s workforce will be prepared for high-demand careers that support local economies and long-term growth across the state.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
CONSTRUCTION TRADES AT SHERIDAN COLLEGE
Sheridan College, with the backing of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, is working on a project that will fund a workforce development administrative position, support curriculum development for expanded construction trades programming, and purchase state-of-the-art equipment that will facilitate teaching and learning in these fields at the highest level.
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The administrator would be responsible for managing pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programming, connecting students with available employment opportunities, and managing and seeking out new industry partnerships. Academic programming is designed to support students from recruitment through job placement. The immediate benefits of this include retention and growth within the Wyoming workforce. This proposal will also provide funding for much-needed mobile-friendly equipment, in order to provide additional training flexibility and ensure students are prepared for success in apprenticeships and graduates are prepared to enter the Wyoming workforce.
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Visit Construction Technology Degree - A Hands-on Degree – NWCCD (sheridan.edu) to learn more about these efforts to transform Wyoming’s workforce development.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
YOUNG ADULT INTERNSHIP
The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Business Training and Support Unit (BTSU) is implementing young adult internships over the next two years. This aligns with the Wyoming Innovation Partnership’s (WIP) focus on retaining young adults attending high school and college in Wyoming and exposing them to viable career pathways.
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The BTSU has an existing Internship Grant through the Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF), but the current funding is not specific to the young adult age group. In order to further develop this targeted workforce, additional funding will be needed to supplement the existing program budget. By providing young adult-specific internship opportunities, DWS wants to raise awareness of the various career possibilities and industries available in Wyoming.
Not only does this initiative help Wyoming's young adults explore career opportunities in Wyoming and develop ideas for educational opportunities that align with career interests, it also will help businesses recruit workers into their industries by offering hands-on structured learning opportunities.
To learn more, please visit: Internship Grants - Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
CDL & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
As part of WIP’s Phase II, Gillette College focused on expanding offerings for non-credit training. These ongoing efforts set out to increase the skillsets of current employees and reskilling people looking to change career paths, all while remaining in the same industry. Moving into the Phase III, existing space at Gillette College will be utilized for this endeavor, while equipment purchases will allow the administrators to mobilize the program in anticipation of requests for off-site training opportunities.
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The Workforce and Community Development department is also developing, implementing, and overseeing a CDL program. Demand for properly trained CDL drivers in Northeast Wyoming is significant, much as it is across the country. Requests for CDL training from individuals looking to be licensed are received weekly throughout the year. Local high schools are also eager to offer CDL training to students. At present, the only CDL program in Gillette is Mountain West, which has at any given time a 2-3 month waiting list for training courses. The consistent waitlist and the increased requests from individuals and employers for CDL training illustrate the high demand for this program in both Gillette and Wyoming as a whole.
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Visit Programs (gillettecollege.org) to see the current offerings and learn more about these programs.
