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Nine Reasons to Choose Utah’s Workers by S AVA N N A H K I N G
ncreasingly, companies are finding the talent pool in Utah to be filled with highly skilled and educated workers. Indeed, the Beehive State’s reputation is well known among site selectors. In 2018, Forbes ranked the Beehive State at No. 2 for Labor Supply. The state of just over 3 million has a solid workforce of approximately 1.4 million. When social media titan Facebook chose to build a data center in Eagle Mountain, the company cited workforce as a major component of its decision. Software giant Adobe Inc. also selected the state for its 1,300 new employees and a new $90 million facility in Lehi. Here are nine reasons to consider Utah’s workforce for your next project:
Educated workforce
Utahns boast a higher than national average high school graduation rate at 91.7%; and 32.6% of Utahns have at least a bachelor’s degree. Students are a high
priority in the state, as Utah spends about 40% of its budget on education, ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed. Additionally, 5.7% of the state’s population is enrolled in higher education and graduate with less debt than in other states. Top colleges in the state include Brigham Young University, The University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University.
Growing talent base
Utah has been growing consistently over the last decade and is currently home to 3.22 million people. By 2065, the state expects to add another 2.5 million people to its population. U.S. Census data shows Utah’s population increased by 14.4% from 2010 to 2018, compared to 6% nationally.
Young population base
The median age in Utah is 31, compared to the national median age of 38.1. Since 2010, Salt Lake City’s population of 25-to-44-year-olds has grown by 19%.
Affordability
According to an analysis by EDCUTAH Metro 360, Utah is one of the most affordable states in the West. Median wages in Utah are lower than the national average at $36,790, compared to $38,640 nationally.
Talent-ready Photo: Get t y Images
In 2017, Gov. Gary Herbert launched an initiative to help build a skilled
