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UDOT’s Partnering Program

The UDOT Partnering Program strengthens how projects are delivered by fostering collaboration, trust, and accountability among all partners.

Partnering provides tools and training to improve communication, resolve issues quickly, and identify risks early—helping us build the best projects for Utah communities.

Rooted in UDOT’s core values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring, the program emphasizes three cornerstones:

  • Trust – open communication, cooperation, and honoring commitments
  • Fairness – shared problem-solving and balanced solutions
  • Teamwork – clear communication, collaboration, and respect for every role

By embracing these values, project teams create stronger relationships and better results for the public.


Partnering Guide

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Partnering Guide, is a comprehensive resource designed to foster collaboration and effective communication among all stakeholders involved in UDOT projects. Rooted in UDOT’s core values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring, this guide outlines the responsibilities and best practices for partnering, ensuring that every project benefits from a unified approach.


Partnering Guide (pdf)

Who Should Partner

UDOT, the Associated General Contractors (AGC), and other project partners realize the importance of joint training to ensure that the individuals who work together train together. All personnel actively participating in project meetings and coordinating with project teams are required to complete Partnering Certification.


All project team members listed below must complete Partnering certification before working on a UDOT project.

UDOT Employees:

  • District Engineer
  • Resident Engineer
  • Field Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Inspectors
  • Materials Technicians
  • Office Managers
  • Maintenance
  • Geotech
  • Utilities
  • Traffic & Safety
  • ROW
  • Design, Roadway Design, and other design disciplines
  • Structures, Geotechnical, Utilities, Traffic and Safety, Right of Way, Maintenance Supervisors, and Public Involvement
  • (Personnel who are the primary point of contact for a discipline on a project or are actively participating in project meetings with other partners)
  • Others as determined by the project team

Contractor Staff:

  • Vice President or Sponsor
  • Operations Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Project/Field Engineer
  • Office Administrator
  • Superintendent
  • Foreman

Consultants:

  • Resident Engineer
  • Field Engineer
  • Inspectors
  • Lab Manager
  • Office Administrator
  • Project Managers
  • Public Involvement/Communications
  • Vice President-level (Management)
  • Design and Coordination Disciplines
  • (Personnel who are the primary point of contact for a discipline on a project or are actively participating in project meetings with other partners)
  • Roadway Designers (and other discipline designers), Discipline Managers, Structures, Geotechnical, Utilities, Traffic and Safety, Right of Way, Maintenance Supervisors, Designers, etc.

Others As Needed:

Partnering certification is recommended for:
  • Any high-risk or critical path subcontractors
  • Suppliers
  • Utility company representatives
  • Local government officials
  • Other

Partnering Training Overview

To work on a UDOT project, individuals who are not yet certified must complete Partnering Certification, beginning with the online Partnering 101 learning module. After completing the 101 Module, participants have up to six months to attend the required in-person Partnering training. To maintain certification, continuing education is required every five years.

Request a UDOT Learning Portal Account form.


UDOT Employee – Register for Partnering 101

Consultants/Contractors – Register for Partnering 101

In-person Partnering Certification Training


This training session has been reduced to a one-day course at the AGC and must be completed within six months of taking the Partnering 101 online course. The course is offered at AGC offices in Salt Lake City and St. George. If you do not complete the in-person course within six months, you will not be eligible to work on UDOT projects. Information about the training, registration, and available dates can be found below. After you complete the Partnering Certification class at the AGC, your certificate will be available to print from the UDOT Learning portal.

If you cannot attend the class, call the AGC at least one business day in advance and withdraw your registration. Please be aware the AGC will charge for anyone who registers for a Partnering class and does not attend. The contact information for the AGC is 801-363-2753. You can talk to anyone at the front desk about canceling. If you can’t reach anyone there, email Chris Dilley at cdilley@utah.gov.

Partnering Facilitator Resources

UDOT works with consultants and contractors who express a desire to facilitate Partnering. The program is undergoing a revision and an announcement is coming soon.

Continuing Education for 5+ Years Since Partnering Class

At UDOT, we believe Partnering is an integral part of our work and should remain at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Through continuing education, we highlight updated best practices and encourage discussion across different roles. “Partnering—Our Way of Doing Business” is not just a slogan but a practice to be applied on every project. 
Note: Continuing Education is required every 5 years.

Continuing Education Course Overview 

The course is held at the AGC and lasts two hours. If you do not attend a continuing education class, your Partnering Certification will lapse, and you will not be eligible to work on a UDOT project until the course is completed.

Class location in SLC:

AGC Training Center
Auditorium
2229 South 1070 West
Salt Lake City UT 84119

Upcoming Classes

Date Location

Wednesday, September 24, 2025


UDOT Employee Registration

Non-UDOT Employee Registration

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM MDT

AGC – Salt Lake

Thursday, October 16, 2025


UDOT Employee Registration

Non-UDOT Employee Registration

AGC – St. George

Wednesday, December 10, 2025


UDOT Employee Registration

Non-UDOT Employee Registration

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM MDT

AGC – Salt Lake

Upcoming Classes

Am I Certified?


If you’re not sure if you are certified, please check your certification status using UDOT’s certification database. Please direct any questions about your certification status to udotu@utah.gov.

After you complete the Partnering class at the AGC, your certificate will be available to print from the UDOT Learning portal. If you don’t receive a notification that your certificate is available in the portal, please email cdilley@utah.gov.

If you do not have an account, please request one by completing the Request a UDOT Learning Portal Account form.

Upcoming Classes

Date Location

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

AGC – Salt Lake

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

AGC – St. George

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

AGC – Salt Lake

Thursday, December 11, 2025

AGC – Salt Lake

Registration

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) handles registration for contractors and consultants. Because Partnering certificates are printed in the UDOT Learning Portal, please ensure that you have an account before the start of your class.

Price: $375


Price: Your org will be charged after the training.

Contact Us

If you have questions about your partnering certification, classes, continuing education, and your certification standing, please email Chris Dilley at cdilley@utah.gov.