Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced $3 million in additional funding aimed at strengthening the state’s construction workforce, as Arizona prepares to meet a growing demand for skilled labor over the coming years.
The funding will be distributed through the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative, a workforce development program launched in 2023 and administered by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). The new investment will be awarded to 10 registered apprenticeship programs across the state.
State officials say the initiative is designed to help fill more than 20,000 construction jobs Arizona projects will be needed by 2030, as major infrastructure, housing and economic development projects continue to expand statewide.
“We are continuing to invest in Arizona workers,” said Gov. Hobbs. “Through our BuildItAZ initiative, Arizonans are gaining crucial skills to succeed in our construction workforce and achieve family-sustaining careers. These apprenticeships are the foundation for Arizonans’ economic security and Arizona’s growth.”
Including the latest allocation, the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative has now invested more than $5 million to expand access to construction careers and promote workforce training partnerships between employers, unions, colleges and workforce boards.
According to the Governor’s Office, the initiative has already helped create thousands of apprenticeship opportunities and is on track to double the number of skilled construction apprenticeships in Arizona by the end of 2026.
This marks the third round of grants awarded under the BuildItAZ program. Organizations selected in this funding cycle include:
Leaders from participating institutions say the funding will help remove barriers to entry and expand access to high-demand careers.
“This BuildItAZ award opens doors to opportunity, mobility, and high-skill careers that once felt out of reach for our students. Arizona Western College is committed to breaking barriers, expanding access, and building innovative training models that meet students where they are,” said Reetika Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurial College and Vice President of Workforce and Healthcare for Arizona Western College. “This grant energizes our mission and fuels the future of our region.”
State officials encouraged Arizonans interested in construction careers to explore registered apprenticeship opportunities through the BuildItAZ website, which connects jobseekers with training providers and employers across Arizona.
Originally reported by Steven Bohner in 12 News.
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