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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Utah is looking for engineers. The state will launch a recruiting effort next month, hoping to lure 1,000 from across the country.
A special newspaper insert will run in 16 cities, where it could be viewed by as many as 3.5 million people. The insert will tout the amenities of living in Utah and include a help-wanted ad.
The state also will launch a new Web site where engineers can post resumes. The marketing costs for the public-private partnership are expected to run from $50,000 to $100,000.
Reed Buchanan, a recruiter from L-3's CSW division, said the state can do a better job of promoting Utah as a place to live while companies can focus on touting the job opportunities.
"We can talk technology and show pictures, but the biggest percentage of (employees') time is what they'll be doing outside their work," Buchanan said. "A marriage between us, I don't see how it can go wrong."
State officials will hit the road to recruit in many areas, including southern California, Texas and Colorado. "We've got great jobs for every one of them," said Jason Perry, director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
According to state employment figures, engineers in most fields make $50,000 to $75,000 a year. Chemical engineers can make six-figure salaries.
"Clearly there's a demand for engineering," said Gregg Warnick, external-relations coordinator with Brigham Young University's mechanical-engineering department.
A small state program last winter led to 10 hires, Perry said.
The shortage is blamed for a snag in Utah County's jail expansion. The original plans were incomplete, and the county must pay for the unexpected changes. "What we need," said Clyde Naylor, county public works director, "are more engineers."
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Information from: The Daily Herald
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
