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Davis Catalyst Center

Profession-based learning that launches careers.

The Davis Catalyst Center connects students to high-skill, high-wage career pathways through real-world industry projects, hands-on experience, and durable skills development.

Visit daviscatalyst.com Back to Impact

By the Numbers

Explosive growth, real results.

0+
Applications (2025)
0
Students Enrolled
0
Career Pathways
$0.00M
In Grant Funding
0%
Recommend Rate

Applications grew from 569 in 2022 to over 1,300 in 2025—with 393 students currently waitlisted. The center has secured $1,055,000 in grant funding for Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, and AI programs.

Catalyst students engaged in hands-on learning

Career Pathways

Students choose from eight profession-based pathways, each designed around high-skill, high-wage industries with strong local employment opportunities.

Aviation
Pilot training and aircraft maintenance in partnership with local aviation programs. Hill AFB employs approximately 7,000 people.
40% higher wages than avg
Advanced Manufacturing
Machining, fabrication, and composites. Students train on industry-grade equipment for careers in precision manufacturing.
33% higher wages · 1.6% annual growth
Catalyst School of Business
Finance, marketing, and management foundations preparing students for the 20,000+ local business-sector jobs.
~$82K median salary
Engineering
Design, prototyping, and problem-solving. Hill AFB alone employs 5,500+ civilian engineers in the region.
$95K+ median salary
AI Modeling & Engineering
Machine learning models and algorithm development. One of the fastest-growing fields with 155 new AI positions posted in March 2025 alone.
Fastest-growing tech field
Construction
Building, architecture, and skilled trades. Students learn practical construction skills in demand across the Wasatch Front.
$60–70K avg · $90K+ supervisory
Public Service & Safety
Law enforcement, legal studies, and government service. Ranked among the top 5 CTE career clusters nationally.
Top 5 CTE cluster
Aspiring Educators
Teaching skills, classroom experience, and service learning—building the next generation of educators for our community.
Service learning focus
Catalyst students collaborating on a project

Profession-Based Learning

Every Catalyst pathway is built on six core pillars that define profession-based learning—ensuring students don’t just study careers, they experience them.

Real-World Industry Projects Durable Skills Development Centralized Magnet Model Local Career Exploration High-Skill High-Wage Prep Entrepreneurial Mindset

Students work on real projects from local industry partners, develop communication and teamwork skills, and explore careers available right here in Davis County and the Wasatch Front. With 97% of students satisfied with their hands-on experience, the model is working.

Students gaining real-world experience at Catalyst

Growth & Expansion

The Davis Catalyst Center is rapidly scaling to meet student demand. See where we are now—and where we’re headed.

0 Career Pathways Active
0 Students Enrolled
0 Students Waitlisted
0+ Applications Received
0 Pathways Planned
0 Student Capacity
0% Pathway Growth
0% Capacity Increase

To meet projected demand, the center is currently utilizing four portable classrooms and a construction pole barn while planning for permanent expansion. The goal: 26 pathways serving 1,300 students by 2027.

Envisioning Catalyst 2.0

These concept renderings explore what an expanded Catalyst Center could look like—more pathways, more space, and more opportunity for Davis County students.

Catalyst 2.0 rendering — building exterior Exterior
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — aerial view Aerial
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — campus entrance Campus
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — facility overview Overview
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — learning lab Learning Lab
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — collaboration space Collaboration
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — workshop area Workshop
Catalyst 2.0 rendering — community space Community

Funding Model

The Catalyst Center is supported through a multi-source funding strategy:

  • District Support: The Davis School District has commissioned a strategic review to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with district goals.
  • State Support: Utah House Bill 447 established the Catalyst Grant, providing state-level funding for profession-based learning programs.
  • Corporate Support: Through a partnership with the Davis Education Foundation, corporate sponsors can invest in Catalyst through naming rights and direct program support.
Catalyst students working together in the lab
Catalyst students at summer camp program

Voices from Catalyst

Students

Victoria Cabaneiro

“The Catalyst Center gave me real experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else. I feel ready for my career.”

— Victoria Cabaneiro, Student
Ava Leavitt

“I love that I get to work on real projects and learn skills I’ll actually use after graduation.”

— Ava Leavitt, Student
Zander Cooper

“Catalyst helped me discover what I want to do after high school—and gave me the skills to get there.”

— Zander Cooper, Student
Students exploring career pathways at Catalyst

Industry Partners

Jason Smith

“The students coming out of Catalyst are better prepared than most entry-level hires I’ve seen. They understand the work.”

— Jason Smith, Lindquist Mortuary
Trent Williams

“We’ve been impressed with the quality of work and professionalism from Catalyst students.”

— Trent Williams, Ensign Engineering
Catalyst students building skills for the future

Davis Catalyst Center

Help us build the future workforce.

With 393 students waitlisted and demand growing every year, your support helps expand capacity and launch more career pathways.

Visit daviscatalyst.com Support Catalyst