UDOT’s Partnering Program
The UDOT Partnering Program is a series of training courses designed to improve how UDOT projects are managed and completed. Partnering is a culture where two or more organizations work together, making long-term commitments to achieve mutual goals. Partnering helps us build the best projects possible through positive working relationships.
Partnering provides a framework and training for all project members to improve trust, communicate better, and solve problems. The program includes training on how to collaborate better and set expectations. Participants will have access to tools that aid in issue resolution and identify potential project constraints and risks. Partnering is rooted in UDOT’s core values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring, UDOT believes it is critical for all those who work on State projects to demonstrate a commitment to partnership to facilitate better communication and collaboration on projects.
Although each project and team will develop their own culture and specific goals, Partnering is inspired by UDOT’s core values of respect, integrity and caring; adopting three cornerstone values of Trust, Fairness and Teamwork. Project team leaders and members are tasked with instilling these values in all project aspects:
- Trust is established by having open and honest communication, demonstrating respect and cooperation, and honoring commitments. Partners are trusted to work together and not take advantage of each other. They can openly communicate sensitive information essential for identifying the best solutions.
- Fairness is achieved by the team working together to solve issues. Seek to understand and problem solve with equal opportunity for voices to be heard and concerns shared. Fairness is not giving each party what they want; fairness is making joint concessions to create project success. We stop trying to win and learn to collaborate.
- Teamwork is accomplished by working together with clear communication, effective time management and the right combination of collaboration and leadership. Teamwork creates an ideal working environment that fosters the highest level of cooperation. Teamwork also means that we seek to understand and value one another’s roles and responsibilities.
Partnering Guide
Partnering Guide (pdf)
Who Should Partner
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
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
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.Upcoming Classes
| Date | Location |
|
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 |
AGC – Salt Lake |
|
Thursday, October 16, 2025 |
AGC – St. George |
|
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
AGC – Salt Lake |
Upcoming Classes
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 |
|
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (Please note this is a change from June 20th.) |
AGC – Salt Lake |
|
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (Please note this is a change from August 7th.) |
AGC – Salt Lake |
|
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 |
Resources, Samples, and Templates
Resources
- Partnering Certification Overview
- Partnering Flowchart
- UDOT Partnering FAQs
- Partnering Values Handout
Samples and Templates
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.