Thursday, May 1, 2025

Content Courtesy of Chamber Business News' article "Governor and OEO connect Arizonans with new apprenticeship opportunities, announce new grants"


 

Content courtesy of Chamber Business News

Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) announced that the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative has successfully connected nearly 3,000 Arizonans with apprenticeship opportunities in the construction industry. The announcement also included the release of more than $1 million in new grants to expand training programs and the launch of the largest round of BuildItAZ funding to date.

The BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative was launched in 2023 to address the growing demand for skilled construction workers. Arizona is projected to need an additional 20,000 construction workers by 2030, according to Talent Ready AZ. Since the initiative’s start, the number of active construction and trades registered apprentices in Arizona has grown from 4,350 to 7,252, with the goal of reaching 8,700 by the end of 2026.

“Together, with industry-led registered apprenticeship programs, we’ve expanded capacity of high-quality programs with state workforce development funding and connected thousands of Arizonans with earn-while-you-learn career pathways that are jobs from day one with competitive wages, and a nationally recognized credential,” OEO Director Carlos Contreras said. “Next, we plan to meet the critical 2026 goal by continuing to invest in apprenticeship capacity and launching a new outreach campaign to reach and inspire the builders across the state who could be future carpenters, laborers, electricians, superintendents and pipefitters.”

The newly announced grants will support seven construction and trades registered apprenticeship programs across the state. The second-round grant recipients are:

• Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. Apprenticeship Trust Fund
• Boilermakers Local 627
• Laborer’s Training School and Retraining Trust Fund
• Phoenix Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
• Sundt Construction
• Tucson Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program
• Western Electrical Contractors Association Inc.

Funding from the BuildItAZ initiative, including the $650,000 awarded in the first round last year, focuses on recruiting and retaining apprentices. It supports wrap-around services such as childcare and transportation assistance, program tuition, tools, boots, textbooks, and essential training equipment. These resources aim to eliminate barriers to employment and expand capacity in existing apprenticeship programs.

“Tucson Electrical Apprenticeship currently serves 175 active apprentices across Pima County, Cochise County, Greenlee County, Yuma County, Graham County, Pinal County and even as far as west of La Paz County,” said Tucson Electrical Apprenticeship Training Director Karen King. “The apprenticeship program is committed to creating pathways to enter the skilled trades. With the rapid growth of the construction sector in Arizona, this expansion is essential to fill the workforce gap and ensure the supply of qualified electricians in the state.”

In addition to the grant awards, Hobbs announced a third round of BuildItAZ funding totaling $3 million—the initiative’s largest single investment yet. This funding is intended to further the state’s commitment to growing a strong, industry-led construction workforce.

“This BuildItAZ grant is a significant enhancement for Sundt’s workforce development initiatives in Arizona,” said Sundt Construction Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Nicole Calamaio. “These funds will expand apprenticeship opportunities, empower more women to enter the construction industry, and provide Spanish-speaking residents in Maricopa County with accessible training and career pathways. This investment strengthens our commitment to build a diverse, skilled workforce that reflects the communities we serve.”

This spring, OEO will also launch a BuildItAZ multimedia outreach campaign designed to inspire more Arizonans, especially women, to pursue careers in construction. The campaign will use digital media and community engagement to promote construction as a stable, well-paying career path and to increase participation in apprenticeship programs.

BuildItAZ is funded by workforce grants through the Office of Economic Opportunity. For more information about the initiative visit BuildItAZ.az.gov.