Utah college graduates often lack ‘sustainable skills’ to succeed in industry, study finds

A high-tech industry employer says recent graduates of Utah colleges and universities aren’t ready.

“They can’t handle stress…because they avoid stressful situations.” How can we push them into more stressful situations at school so that they are ready to enter the workforce? »

One healthcare employer said: “The biggest gap we’ve seen is…communication failures like social communication, face-to-face communication, conversation, teamwork. »

The two statements from representatives of high-demand industries were collected during a statewide study commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education, the results of which were released this week.

Led by the Cicero GroupThe study was designed to better understand what employers expect of Utah college graduates, while also assessing graduates’ readiness as they begin careers in industries such as healthcare, financial services, aerospace, IT, energy and construction.

For university presidents and other higher education administrators, the data and actionable recommendations from the Cicero study are timely.

As the 2025 legislative session approaches, state lawmakers are calling for better workforce alignment between higher education and industry in Utah.

Last month, for example, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams spoke enthusiastically with the Deseret News about integrating more apprenticeship programs into Utah’s public colleges. — provide students with the means to gain work experience that cannot be acquired through traditional classroom courses.

Utah’s industries are evolving — and the state’s higher education institutions must keep pace, said Utah Higher Education Commissioner Geoff Landward. “Through collaboration with industry leaders, we can create stronger pathways that lead to professional success for our graduates.” »

Cicero interviewed and surveyed hundreds of Utah employers to assess overall graduate readiness.

Their study concluded that Utah industries are “generally satisfied” with the preparation of recent Utah graduates – while identifying several key points that signal opportunities for improvement:

Graduates lack sustainable skills

The study concludes that many Utah employers face challenges training and working alongside today’s Utah graduates due to the shortage of “sustainable skills” – those interpersonal abilities such as problem solving, critical thinking, resilience and flexibility.

Several respondents said graduates often arrive in the workplace with gaps in essential and enduring skills such as stress management, conflict management and time management.

More than 100 respondents identified communication skills as a desired “standout” skill.

Although industry respondents largely agree that higher education has a duty to teach lasting skills to graduates, they recognize that employers share an equal responsibility for developing these skills in their recent recruits.

“Critical thinking and problem solving come from experience… It comes with training – and we train the ability to solve problems,” said a respondent who works in healthcare.

Mixed satisfaction with technical skills

While Utah employers in industries such as finance and energy are generally satisfied with the technical skills of recent graduates, other high-tech fields such as advanced manufacturing and aerospace report that graduates of Utah have obsolete skills.

“There is a big disconnect between what they teach in schools and what we need,” noted one high-tech industry employer. “Technology is changing so quickly that we have to start all over again to teach them. The technology is 2-3 years behind.

The study recommends increased collaboration between industry and schools to identify and address technical skills gaps. Non-traditional educational tools such as micro-credentials and certificates can also allow graduates to gain additional technical depth.

“(It would help to) offer certification programs in areas such as food safety, event management and hospital management, which can provide students with additional qualifications that are valued in the hospitality industry,” wrote a survey respondent from the hospitality sector.

Driving industrial collaboration on Utah college campuses

Many respondents are interested in expanding their partnerships with Utah colleges and universities. They hope to have an increased voice on campus.

Collaborations between industry and education could include co-developed curricula and increased industry representation on advisory boards.

“I would like to see improved partnerships through involvement in the program and in the classroom, so that graduates can better meet the needs and expectations of employers,” said a healthcare respondent.

Work-based learning = graduate success

Utah industries value a college education, but they prioritize experience.

The majority of study participants identify experience as a “key differentiator” in hiring, reflecting the importance of workplace learning.

“It’s obvious to see the difference between graduates who have experience and those who don’t,” observes one IT employer.

But the Workforce Alignment Study also finds that Utah industries often lack workplace learning resources. This represents an opportunity for higher education to take the lead in developing and promoting work-based programs such as internships and apprenticeships.

Workforce development programs such as Custom fit — a decades-old partnership between participating Utah institutions of higher education, the Utah Legislature and local businesses — is an example of a work-based learning program that works, the study notes.

The Utah System of Higher Education said its office and institutions are already integrating academic feedback by using innovative educational tools and expanding workplace learning opportunities.