The City of Phoenix premiered its new Mobile Career Unit (MCU) on Wednesday, with a ribbon-cutting celebration at Cesar Chavez Library. The state-of-the-art, 38-foot-long RV is designed to connect employers with residents seeking job opportunities.
One of the key features of the MCU is that it is fully equipped with technology that provides hands-on resources to support job seekers in their career search. Additionally, its ability to host up to three companies during one hiring event allows for a diverse range of opportunities for job seekers in one convenient location in their neighborhood. The flexibility of having resources built into the vehicle enables staff to quickly mobilize to support the workforce needs of Phoenix, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates.
Prior to getting this new RV, the City of Phoenix Workforce Development team used a smaller vehicle to bring its resources to the community.
“The MCU brings innovation to our City’s workforce development efforts,” says Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Challenging the traditional job fair model, MCU’s pioneering approach – which has received recognition and support from Bloomberg Philanthropies – connects qualified candidates with stable and sustainable employment opportunities. We have a new vehicle to continue building on this success for both residents and businesses citywide.”
The MCU is supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a competition to spur government innovation that improves lives in cities worldwide. In 2022, Phoenix was among the 15 winning cities from across the globe awarded $1 million and operational assistance to bring the MCU program to life.
Since its inception in 2022, the MCU has had a significant impact on the job market in Phoenix. With a total of 386 job offers and 1,361 attendees at hiring events, the program has exceeded expectations and continues to grow. This growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the MCU team, as well as the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Due to this success, the program’s goal for 2025 was updated to 425 job offers, reflecting a significant increase from the previous target of 208.
“At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we believe that city halls are engines of progress – and the Mayors Challenge supports municipalities and their leaders who are proving just that, said Cristina Cacciato, a member of the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The Mobile Career Unit is a novel approach to workforce challenges facing localities across the country and around the world, and our team has been glad to support this work and help elevate it to other cities who can benefit from Phoenix’s example.”
Residents who have secured jobs through the MCU have expressed their gratitude for the program’s impact on their lives. “The Mobile Career Unit brought a high-quality career directly to me – making accessible and achievable what I once thought was challenging,” said Luis Enriquez, who works for the Phoenix Fire Department. “The personal and financial impact of this job has been immense, and I am proud to live in a city that helps residents realize the economic opportunity and success they deserve.”
The MCU program is a part of the City of Phoenix’s workforce development efforts to match job seekers and employers. The unit travels around the City, bringing career opportunities directly to communities that may face barriers to accessing employment resources.
“Last year, W. L. Gore & Associates partnered with the MCU to host an onsite hiring event at our North Valley facility, said Sam Wolo, the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board Chair. “The MCU-led hiring event was well coordinated, effectively advertised and sufficiently staffed. The MCU team took care of the planning and marketing, which allowed our team of Gore Associates to focus solely on what mattered most – interviewing and hiring.”
The MCU focuses on areas experiencing high unemployment rates, and is making waves in the community with its innovative approach to workforce development. Leveraging data and partnerships with community-based organizations and employers, the MCU successfully provides tailored workforce services to job seekers in Phoenix.
Employers who have used the MCU to hire new employees have also praised the program. “The MCU has been a valuable resource for our company, providing us with skilled and qualified candidates, said Adrian Martinez, Bashas’ Talent Acquisition Manager. “Having resume and interview preparation available for potential candidates ensures they feel ready for the interview and the job.”
The Phoenix MCU is an example of how data and creative philanthropic partnerships can drive successful workforce development initiatives for residents’ benefit. By investing in its growth, the MCU is positioned to make a sustainable impact for job seekers and employers alike.
