Building the Workforce Together
Preparing America’s critical minerals workforce takes more than a university.
The University of Utah partners with industry, government, national laboratories, and educational institutions to connect students with the research, expertise, and hands-on opportunities they need to build careers in the critical minerals supply chain.
Collaborative Workforce Ecosystem
"Connecting students directly with the expertise, live site environments, and career paths shaping domestic energy security."
Industry
Located in the heart of the intermountain west, we connect students with companies working across mining, mineral processing, materials, manufacturing, and other critical industries.
"Domestically sourced and produced minerals ensure our raw materials are built safely and responsibly while creating high-value career paths for Utah graduates."
Key Partner Industry Sectors
Government
As the state’s flagship University, the U bridges academic innovation with state policy, natural resource stewardship, and national defense objectives.
"Stewarding Utah’s vast geological resources requires sustained collaboration between state management and cutting-edge university research."
National Laboratory & Education
Bridging institutional discovery with national laboratories and defense initiatives.
National Lab of the Rockies (NLR)
The University of Utah and the National Lab of the Rockies have established a three-year partnership advancing research in critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and other national priorities. The agreement expands access to shared facilities, collaborative research, student internships, and career pathways—connecting U students and researchers directly with a U.S. Department of Energy national lab.
SMART Testbed Accelerator
In partnership with DARPA, the University of Utah is launching the Strategic Minerals Accelerator & Research Testbed (SMART), a first-of-its-kind testing ecosystem designed to accelerate critical minerals and rare earth technologies from laboratory discovery toward real-world deployment. The testbed will give researchers and industry a place to validate and scale emerging technologies while strengthening U.S. critical mineral capabilities and domestic supply chains.
A Shared Investment in Talent
Our partners don't just support the critical minerals workforce. They help build it.
Together, we can give students opportunities to learn in the field, work alongside experts, participate in research and applied projects, and develop the skills employers need.
