Most leaders don’t ignore change because they don’t care. They ignore it because, in the moment, it doesn’t feel urgent. When the metrics look good and the operations hum along, making time for possibility feels indulgent. But that’s precisely what separates the visionary leaders from the merely competent: They make space to reimagine before a crisis demands it. Visionary … [More]
Phoenix-Based EV Training Firm Launches UN Workforce Program
Legacy EV has officially launched the first phase of a major electric-vehicle workforce development program in Guyana, delivered in partnership with the United Nations as part of the country's national Just Energy Transition Project. The collaboration, formalized earlier this year, supports Guyana's ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030) — a national plan … [More]
The Business Case for Investing in Under-Resourced Youth
Challenges aren’t just social concerns but are also economic ones
When we talk about “investing in the future,” it’s easy to think about hot-button topics like technology, infrastructure or renewable energy. These are undeniably important to Arizona’s growth and long-term sustainability. But there’s another critical investment that doesn’t always make the headlines and yet is just as essential for the health of our economy and communities: … [More]
Cooling Costs and Strong Hiring Keep Arizona Competitive
Governor Katie Hobbs highlights new employment numbers showcasing Arizona’s continued strong private sector jobs growth, driven by growth in Natural Resources & Mining, Financial Activities and Health Care. Additionally, while the country saw spikes in the cost of housing (4.0%) and energy (0.2%), Arizona saw declines, with housing falling by 0.1%and energy falling by … [More]
Valley Education Partnership Boosts Talent Pipeline for High-Demand Nursing Roles
In a shared commitment to advancing nursing education and expanding opportunities for the next generation of healthcare leaders, Arizona College of Nursing and American College of Education announced a new academic partnership designed to support students, alumni, and employees in their pursuit of graduate-level nursing degrees. Through this collaboration, graduates of AZCN's … [More]
Phoenix Debuts Nation-Leading Training Center for the Engineers Behind Advanced Microchip Production
ASML, a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry, held an inauguration ceremony today for its U.S. Technical Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Customers, government officials including Governor Katie Hobbs, and other dignitaries joined ASML executives to celebrate the facility, which began training engineers in 2024. Now fully operational, ASML anticipates the … [More]
Maricopa Community Colleges Launch Partnership Targeting Semiconductor Career Pipeline Development
ManpowerGroup, an innovative workforce solution provider, announced a strategic partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona, one of the nation's largest community college systems. The collaboration will accelerate workforce development in the fast-growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors by addressing one of the industry's most urgent challenges: … [More]
Their Take: The Widening Gender Pay Gap and its Impacts on Our Economy
The latest Census Bureau report flew a bit under the radar — but the findings matter deeply for Arizona’s future. For the second year in a row, the gender wage gap in the United States has widened. On average, women in 2024 earned just 80.9 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 82.7 cents from the previous year. At the same time, Black workers’ median wages fell 3.3 … [More]
Solar & Storage Training Center Opens in Avondale Targeting Utility-Scale Workforce Growth
NovaSource Power Services, the premium provider of total asset optimization including operations and maintenance for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage services, has announced the official opening of NovaAcademy, a dedicated training center and curriculum designed to accelerate workforce readiness and raise the industry bar for safety, quality, and … [More]
Job Corps Partnership Opens Seats in High-Demand Skilled Programs
StrataTech Education Group, a leading operator of skilled trade schools, has partnered with Adams and Associates and the Phoenix Job Corps Center to provide specialized technical training and scholarship opportunities for local Arizona students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. Through this partnership, PJCC students will gain access to professional training programs in … [More]
West-MEC Launches 31,000-SF Career Academy to Strengthen the West Valley Workforce Pipeline
Full-service construction management firm GCON Inc. joined with project partners and leaders from the City of Avondale, Arizona and the Agua Fria High School District for a grand opening ribbon cutting of West-MEC Career Academy at Agua Fria High School. The new West-MEC campus spans 31,000 square feet in four state-of-the-art buildings offering technical training for high … [More]
SEMIquest Connects Arizona Students to the Future of Chips
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]
