A severe shortage of experienced engineers in Utah has prompted the government to help businesses look for talent in other states, according to state officials.

In recent years, rapid technological advancements and a growing number of high-tech companies locating in Utah has generated strong demand for experienced engineers in areas including mechanical and computer engineering, and aerospace, said Michael Sullivan, communications director with the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

"Nationally, there's a shortage of engineers. Here in Utah, we're facing an 800-plus deficit of experienced engineers in Utah. That's workers with a minimum of bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering plus five or more years' experience," he said. "Companies like IM Flash in Lehi, and ATK Launch Systems in Brigham City need more workers with engineering skills. Plus we're growing rapidly as a state. We need more civil engineers to build our roads."

The state began advertising over the holidays and will broaden its reach to other states over the next six months, starting in Orange County, Calif., Sullivan said.

Meanwhile, Utah's employment growth continues to moderate as more businesses find it harder to find workers willing to settle for low-paying jobs in a tight market.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 2.6 percent in December, down from 4 percent a year ago. About 34,400 Utahns were unemployed in December compared with 51,000 last year. Nationally, the U.S. economy added 1.9 million new jobs in December, up 1.4 percent from a year ago.

"We're starting to see slowing in the Utah economy that we anticipated due to the extremely low unemployment rate," said Mark Knold, chief economist with the state Department of Workforce Services. "The economy can only grow as rapidly as the supply of available labor will allow. With Utah's unemployment rate this low, the labor supply is extremely restricted and is acting as a dampening factor upon economic growth instead of an enhancer. The bottom line is that growth will slow, but it will still be solid job growth."

The number of non-farm payrolls in Utah grew 4.7 percent, or by 55,700 new jobs in December, from a year ago, with almost all sectors, in particular, construction and professional and business services, still the state's top employers.

But that rate of growth has peaked and is starting to slow, Knold said. For instance, the construction sector reached its peak in June with the addition of 15,000 new jobs year-on-year. In December, the industry added 13,400 new jobs from a year ago.

Likewise, professional and business services added 9,800 new jobs in December from a year ago, with demand for high-paying professional and technical jobs still growing. But demand for lower-paying temporary help, placement agency and telemarketing jobs is slowing down.

Those interested in applying can visit www.accesstotalent.com, or call Pat Vaughn at (801) 538-8880. Applications should be sent to resumes@utah.gov.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D4.