Led by the Governor's Office of Economic Development, or GOED, the coalition includes representatives from the University of Utah's Alumni Career Services, the Department of Workforce Services and the life sciences industry.

"This is the first time we have become involved in something like this," said Patricia Vaughn, director of GOED's Talent Access Programs. "The life sciences have long been designated a 'priority cluster' " by state economic planners.

"We know NPS has some very highly skilled talent. We want to retain these workers and not lose them to another state."

Two Salt Lake City meetings - one beginning 1 p.m. Friday at 324 S. State St. for ex-NPS workers, another yet-to-be set for potential employers - are planned as part of the re-employment effort.

In a huge restructuring move last week, NPS announced across-the-board employee cuts of 53 percent. At the drug developer's Salt Lake City offices 44 workers were let go, leaving 76 on the company's Utah payroll. Companywide, NPS' work force was slashed to 230 employees from nearly 500.

The GOED initiative to find new jobs in the life sciences sector (biotechnology, laboratory test facilities, etc.) for the laid off Utahns has the full support of the Utah Technology Council.

"It's disappointing for NPS to downsize these positions because of market pressures, but in our kinds of [growing] job market it's also an opportunity for other life sciences companies to recruit these very talented, highly skilled employees," said Richard Nelson, president and CEO of UTC, a technology/biotech trade association.

Although the state does not track employment by a specific "life sciences" class, the sector's companies make up the majority of about 4,000 jobs listed variously under research and development, and physical engineering categories, said DWS regional economist James Robson.

"This area showed a healthy increase in 2004 to 2005, growth in the 6 percent to 9 percent range," he added. "So, this kind of loss [NPS layoffs] should easily be absorbed by the industry."

Along with such basic information as how to write resumes, interview and search for jobs, and apply for unemployment and health insurance, the re-employment coalition hopes to capitalize on its public-private sector connections to bring together jobseekers and job providers.

A number of biotechnology companies already have called NPS directly to pass along opportunities for jobs, says the company's human resources chief, Ken Coman.

For more information, e-mail GOED representative Melissa Mackie at mgmackie@utah.gov or call her at 801-538-8658.

bmims@sltrib.com