By Gwen Kervin, Regional Economist

Whether someone is just starting out in their career or pivoting to a new one, apprenticeships and certifications provide opportunities to gain valuable credentials that boost earning power while demanding smaller time commitments and expense than traditional degree programs. 

Apprenticeships typically pair a novice with an experienced mentor or mentors for on-the-job learning and training, allowing the apprentice to earn income while building their skills. This model allows apprentices to access a direct pathway to employment while avoiding taking on student debt. More...

By Michael Jeanfreau, Senior Economist

OnTheMap is an online tool that helps users explore workforce trends and commuting patterns. Whether focusing on where people work or live, OnTheMap provides clear, interactive data that simplifies the process of analyzing local economic conditions. This guide will help users get familiar with the tool and begin gathering insights into workforce trends in specific areas.

OnTheMap is powered by data from the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) dataset. LODES is a rich source of information that links workers to their employers and provides detailed insights into both employment and residential patterns. By connecting where people live with where they work, LODES offers a comprehensive view of commuting patterns and workforce characteristics across different regions. More...

By Gwen Kervin, Senior Economist

Employment in Utah’s tech sector has been steadily growing, making up a larger share of U.S. tech employment over the last several years. The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity has targeted the Software and IT industry in its mission to foster economic growth in the state. Within Utah, the tech industry accounted for just over 67,400 jobs in 2023 and paid a total of $9.28 billion in wages, the majority of which were paid out by software publishers and computer systems design and related services companies. However, this does not capture the entire picture, as employees with technical skills can be found across all sectors of the economy. Moreover, high-paying technical jobs don’t just benefit those who work in the tech sector or hold technical jobs. As tech employees spend money locally, they increase demand for goods and services in a variety of industries, supporting local employment and wages. More...