UW Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute Joins National Workforce Consortium

The University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute has joined the newly established National Outdoor Recreation Workforce Consortium.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the West Virginia University Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, aims to unite industry leaders with higher education institutions to address workforce opportunities within the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy.

The consortium seeks to bridge the gap between academic programs and the evolving needs of the outdoor recreation industry. By facilitating collaboration, research and the development of a comprehensive outdoor career competency framework, the consortium aims to ensure that educational institutions are effectively preparing students for the diverse career opportunities in this sector.

“Joining this consortium aligns perfectly with the WORTH Institute’s mission to support and enhance Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries through applied research and workforce development,” says Dan McCoy, director of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH (Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality) Institute. “We are excited to collaborate with other national leaders to develop a skilled workforce that will drive economic growth and innovation in our state and beyond.”

The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, established with a $5 million gift from Jay and Karen Kemmerer and state matching funds, is dedicated to advancing innovation, workforce development, research and economic development in Wyoming’s second-largest industry: tourism.

As part of the consortium’s efforts, a national outdoor recreation workforce survey will be distributed in the latter half of 2025 to gather insights and inform strategies for workforce development. The consortium’s collaborative approach aims to create a resilient and future-ready workforce, ensuring the continued growth and success of the outdoor recreation economy.

For more information about the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute and its initiatives, visit www.uwyo.edu/worth.