Arizona’s construction and skilled trades pipeline receives third boost from apprentice initiative as it doubles number of registered apprentices across state.‍

PHOENIX (August 20, 2025) -- The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), 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 grants within Governor Hobbs multi-faceted BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative (BuildItAZ) connecting Arizonans to industry-led, construction career pathways. Today’s $2M in federal workforce grants, along with $1,650,000 in BuildItAZ grants previously awarded, are focused on helping eligible apprenticeship programs:

• Increase capacity through instructors, equipment, and facility expansion
• Recruit and retain apprentices
• Provide wrap-around supports like childcare, transportation, and tools
• Expand access to pre-apprenticeship programs connected to registered apprenticeships

Launched in 2023, BuildItAZ aims to expand opportunities for employers and apprentices in Arizona, with the goal of adding thousands of additional active construction apprentices by 2026. To date, it has successfully expanded the state’s skilled construction workforce by 5,000 new construction and trades apprentices. The earn-while-you-learn apprentice initiative remains on track to double the number of construction trades registered apprentices by 2026 to support the state’s growing economy and connect Arizonans with good-paying, high-quality jobs.

“Since 2023, BuildItAZ has added more than 5,000 new apprentices to Arizona’s registered apprenticeship system—building a stronger, more diverse, and better-prepared workforce for high-demand, high-wage careers,” said Carlos Contreras, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. “These apprenticeships provide hands-on, practical training that bypasses traditional college debt while learners earn wages from day one in family-supporting vocations.”

BuildItAZ funding supports hundreds of apprentices across Arizona with critical needs such as tools, boots, books, tuition, and program support with training equipment and instructors.

Applications for Round 3 open August 14, 2025 and close September 25, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Arizona time). For more information about the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative and to apply for the third round of grants visit OEO’s website at oeo.az.gov To learn more about BuildItAZ, visit builditarizona.com‍

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For media inquiries, please contact‍

Gina Flores, Office of Economic Opportunity

‍gina.flores@oeo.az.gov‍

602-695-8955‍

Heather Austin, BuildItAZ‍

Heather@TheFerraroGroup.com‍

602-738-9252 cell

Originally reported by BuildltAZ.