Photo supplied, Kari Harbath
Demonstrators participate in the “Save Our Civil Service” Day of Action supporting federal workers in Ogden on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
OGDEN — Uncertainty abounds for many in the Ogden area — and nationwide — who hold (or held) jobs with the federal government amid sweeping cuts triggered by President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. In response to past and prospective federal workforce reductions, several local organizations are teaming up to support those impacted.
Ogden City and community partners, including Ogden-Weber Technical College, Weber State University, Weber County, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, United Way of Northern Utah and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, will host a Federal Employee Career Transition & Resource Connection Event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on April 23 at the Ogden-Weber Technical College Event Center, located at 200 Washington Blvd.
“It’s important to bring together partners from across our community to offer hope, opportunity and support to federal employees navigating these career transitions,” said Ogden City Community and Economic Development Deputy Director David Sawyer in a release.
The free event will offer opportunities for attendees to connect with local employers and explore potential career paths.
According to a release, event highlights also include résumé preparation assistance, complimentary professional headshot photos, help with unemployment registration, access to food, housing and utility support services, business start-up resources, career/academic advising and occupational certification information.
Attendees are advised to follow event signs on campus. Preregistration via https://ogdencareers.eventbrite.com/ is encouraged.
“The Ogden Community Partners Career Transition & Resource Connection event recognizes the value the federal workforce gives to our community. This event brings together community resources for displaced federal workers in a single location. Ogden-Weber Technical College’s mission is to build a prosperous community, and hosting this event on campus is one way for the college to further that mission,” read a statement provided to the Standard-Examiner by Ogden-Weber Technical College.
Said OTECH President Jim Taggart: “Our goal as a community coalition is to find new employment for our displaced federal workers as soon as possible. Sustained employment benefits the displaced federal employees, their families and the entire community. If they need new or updated skills, Ogden-Weber Technical College is ready to support them.”
Two court cases related to mass government firings were decided in favor of the Trump administration in recent days, one of which resulted in a federal appeals court halting a judge’s order requiring the reinstatement of probationary workers who were fired.
Federal cuts and layoffs have led to a public outcry in some sectors, including demonstrations near government buildings. Several Ogden-area protests, organized through the grassroots 50501 movement, have been held in recent weeks at places like the James V. Hansen Federal Building and the Ogden Municipal Building.