When SEMICON West opens in downtown Phoenix this October, it won’t just be industry leaders gathering. Just a few blocks away, students will step into SEMIquest, a new interactive exhibit at the Arizona Science Center that brings the semiconductor world to life for Arizona’s middle and high schoolers. Created by the SEMI Foundation, the experience blends hands-on science, … [More]
New Facility Opens for Advanced Manufacturing and More at West-MEC Campus
Western Maricopa Education Center, known as West-MEC, recently celebrated the completion of its new Advanced Manufacturing and Welding building and Electric Vehicle building addition at its Northeast Campus in Phoenix. The new 16,500-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing building features an advanced manufacturing lab with an ISO-X cleanroom and industry-standard equipment from … [More]
CBRE Ranks Tech Talent, Phoenix Lands among Top 20 Markets
Phoenix ranks No. 20 overall in CBRE’s 2025 Scoring Tech Talent report, as tech talent hiring in North America slowed despite strong growth in artificial-intelligence specialty talent, according to a new report from CBRE. Phoenix saw strong tech talent job growth from 2021 to 2024, expanding its tech talent labor pool by 5.6% to 102,540 people. From 2021 to 2023, the city … [More]
National Construction Co. Partners with Grand Canyon University on Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Grand Canyon University and McCarthy Building Companies have expanded GCU’s successful Center for Workforce Development to include four new trades — civil construction, mechanical/plumbing, HVAC and concrete — opening the door to more career opportunities for students and creating a pipeline of skilled talent for the construction industry. The Pre-Apprentice Construction … [More]
Global Logistics Firm to Hire Nearly 800 in Phoenix Ahead of Holiday Season
GEODIS, a global logistics provider, announced plans to hire approximately 755 seasonal workers the Phoenix, Arizona, area to support the anticipated surge in demand during peak season. This hiring initiative will significantly enhance the company’s operational capacities in its warehouses and distribution centers in preparation for the holiday season, with seasonal employees … [More]
University Leaders Press Valley CEOs for Talent, R&D, Partnerships
Arizona's public university presidents delivered a unified message about the transformative power of higher education during the Greater Phoenix Chamber's Valley Voices event at the Orange Tree Golf Resort. The chamber’s annual gathering on the state of higher education brought together business leaders, educators and policymakers to discuss the critical role of a college … [More]
Arizona’s Semiconductor Boom Demands Talent – ASU and SEMI Step Up
As billions pour into Arizona’s semiconductor industry, the need for skilled talent is no longer a future concern. It’s a present constraint. With more than $200 billion in chip manufacturing investments reshaping the state’s economy, demand for engineers, technicians and specialized operators is outpacing supply. To help close that gap, SEMI, the global industry association … [More]
Tech Talent in Demand
According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Lightcast, in the next ten years the tech workforce will grow twice as fast as the overall U.S. workforce. The macro trend of digital transformation means demand for tech talent across the full spectrum of tech job roles will continue unabated. This analysis is part of the recently released “State of the … [More]
APS Uses Robots to Inspire the Next Generation of Engineers
The goal for every first-generation college student is not simply to get there, but to graduate – often easier said than done without caring mentorship and the genuine investment of a broader community. That’s where AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute comes in. AGUILA is a Valley-based non-profit and college access program that has been working with Arizona students for more … [More]
$2M in Capacity-Building Grants Available to Continue Growing Apprenticeship Pipeline
The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, is launching Round 3 of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative—investing another $2 million in federal capacity-building grants to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships across the state. This effort aims to double the number of registered construction and trades apprentices by the end of 2026. This is the third round of … [More]
Feedback: August 2025
Q: What is your company (or industry) doing to strengthen the pipeline for talent to fill employment needs? Hannah Levos Talent Acquisition Manager BioLab Holdings, Inc. Sector: Medical Manufacturing At BioLab Holdings, we are committed to raising the standard of patient care — and that begins with the talent we bring on board. In today’s competitive talent market, a … [More]
College Partnership Brings Career‑Ready Manager Program to Power Arizona’s Service Sector
Mesa Community College and Northern Arizona University have launched a new transfer pathway allowing students in MCC’s Beauty and Wellness program to earn a bachelor’s degree in strategic leadership from NAU at a fraction of the traditional cost—without needing to relocate. This innovative option, called a 90/30 bachelor’s degree pathway, enables students to complete up to … [More]
Survey Finds Growth in Social Corporate Responsibility
A new survey of 135 companies released by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals and YourCause from Blackbaud reveals that 72% of corporate social responsibility teams have seen their roles expand amid heightened scrutiny of companies’ social impact efforts. This is the same percentage of respondents who said their team had taken on more responsibility in 2024 … [More]
ElevateEdAZ Shares Successes in Internship Program with Mayo Clinic
ElevateEdAZ, an education initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, is sharing preliminary results of an ongoing partnership with Mayo Clinic that offers high-quality high school internships in the healthcare field to build a region-wide talent pipeline of career-ready youth. “Engaging the business community in providing internships and other work-based learning … [More]
Arizona Ranks 1st in Worker Freedom and Economic Mobility
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America, a groundbreaking publication ranking all 50 states based on their commitment to worker freedom and pro-growth labor reforms. Arizona claims the top spot, earning recognition as the nation’s leading example of how principled labor policy fuels economic … [More]
Concrete Subcontractor Launches In-House ‘University’ Program
Employee-owned Suntec Concrete, the Southwest’s largest concrete subcontractor, has announced the launch of Suntec University, a comprehensive in-house training and development program equipping Suntec employees with skills that empower them in their work, families and communities. Based on three program pillars – Relationships, Leadership and Growth – Suntec University … [More]
Why Apprenticeship Is the Workforce Strategy More Businesses Need
Achieving outcomes that are difficult to achieve through traditional hiring alone
Across industries, employers are facing a frustrating paradox: There are open jobs, yet too few candidates with the right skills to fill them. As companies adapt to rapidly changing technologies, demographics and workplace expectations, it’s clear that traditional hiring methods are no longer enough. One proven, but often overlooked, solution is apprenticeship. Long … [More]
Nonprofit Unveils New Identity, Renewed Focus on Workforce Empowerment
St. Joseph the Worker, Arizona’s leading employment-focused nonprofit, has officially rebranded as The Worker, a name that better reflects its mission to eliminate barriers to employment and connect individuals with quality jobs across the Valley. The rebrand, publicly unveiled at a celebratory open house on May 1, includes a modernized identity and updated program names … [More]
