In August 2019, Melisa Stark was appointed as Commissioner of Apprenticeship Programs housed within the Department of Workforce Services after the Utah legislature created the position earlier that year. Over the past four years she has worked with apprentices and sponsors to better understand the perceptions, needs, challenges and opportunities for expanding apprenticeships in Utah. She has also led the creation and outreach efforts of Apprenticeship Utah and the Apprenticeship Utah Network.

Prior to her current position, Stark has more than 27 years experience at Workforce Services. She gained a broad range of experience as an industry lead, grants specialist and leading the department’s employer initiatives program. Stark led Utah’s efforts in building education and industry partnerships through the Utah Cluster Acceleration Partnership, Talent Ready Utah and STEM grants. In this capacity, she worked closely with state leadership in education and multiple industries to build workforce pathway programs, apprenticeship programs and other on-the-job training programs. She has a passion for creating opportunities for individuals in non-traditional careers, such as women in STEM.

She participates in numerous advisory boards and has been recognized as a leader locally and nationally for her apprenticeship and workforce development efforts. Most recently by the National Association of Workforce Agencies as the recipient of the Eagle Award and by Apprenti as the first recipient of the Government Partner Award, which provides apprenticeship opportunities in IT and Cybersecurity.