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]
Generational Divides about Workplace L&D
The annual L&D benchmark report recently released by TalentLMS, an award-winning SaaS training vendor, uncovers how four generations of employees view workplace learning and development programs and what they expect from them. The TalentLMS 2024 Annual L&D Benchmark Report found a generational divide: Millennials are the most satisfied generation with training, with … [More]
New Accelerator to Provide Hands-On Battery Training
The Arizona Commerce Authority has opened Future48 Workforce Accelerator, a battery-focused accelerator to provide workforce training focused on the manufacturing process of cylindrical batteries used for electric vehicles and other applications. Specifically, as the program is designed to develop regional talent who will join LG Energy Solution’s Queen Creek facility after … [More]
Chandler Workforce Collaboration Brings Feedback to Create East Valley Job Opportunities
In partnership with Chandler Unified School District, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and the City of Chandler, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Chandler4Workforce: a quarterly collaboration between four of the city’s largest workforce development organizations. Leadership from each group meets in-person to discuss their upcoming programs and … [More]
1 in 4 Companies Say AI Skills Protect Workers from Layoffs
As companies navigate economic uncertainty, many are making tough workforce decisions — including hiring freezes, slowdowns, and layoffs. To better understand how businesses are approaching staffing changes and the role of AI skills in job security, AI Resume Builder surveyed 1,000 U.S. managers in March 2025. Key findings: 17% of companies have implemented a hiring … [More]
Phoenix Debuts New Mobile Career Unit
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 … [More]
EMT Training Program Ramps Up in Arizona to Beat Shortage
In response to the critical shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), Unitek EMT moved to a larger campus and added more starts dates for its 14-Day EMT Boot Camp. This year, Unitek EMT launched a Basic EKG Class and a seven-week evening course to provide more opportunities for aspiring EMS professionals. "Unitek's dedication to initial and continuing education is … [More]
Arizona Launches Aerospace & Defense-Focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Mesa
The Accelerator at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will offer hands-on training in aerospace and defense manufacturing
With a growing and skilled workforce, top education institutions and global industry leaders, Arizona launched the latest training facility for its nationally-recognized workforce development program. Joined by industry, education, and government leaders, Governor Katie Hobbs today announced the launch of an aerospace & defense-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator at … [More]
ASU and MLB Announce Educational Partnership for Athletes
The Partnership will allow MLB players to earn GED, degrees and certificates to provide skills for post-baseball careers
Arizona State University has announced a new educational partnership with Major League Baseball that will offer professional athletes the opportunity to succeed in their post-baseball careers. Through the new MLB +ASU Education Partnership, players can pursue online education in any state through ASU and its partners, including English proficiency via Global Launch. High school … [More]
Alliance Formed to Strengthen Arizona’s Workforce Ecosystem
Collaboration expands career pathways and industry engagement to prepare Arizona’s future workforce
The Arizona Education Economic Commission (AEEC) announced a strategic alliance with Pipeline Connects, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing career pathways and workforce development in Arizona. This collaboration will strengthen efforts to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring students and job seekers can seamlessly transition into high-demand careers. The … [More]
