MARICOPA COUNTY - The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $12 million in funding to provide apprenticeship opportunities for county residents, bolstering the pipeline of skilled workers in a variety of career fields. The program is estimated to support a total of 3,000 people find apprenticeships through 2026.
The vote took place during National Apprenticeship Week, a national observation that highlights the importance of collaboration between government leaders, education providers, industry, employers, and the workforce to show the value of apprenticeships in building a skilled workforce.
Recognized as a national leader in apprenticeship enrollments by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Maricopa County Human Services Department, in partnership with the Maricopa County Workforce Development Board helped 348 people successfully attain apprenticeships through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in Fiscal Year 2022 and has a 95% success rate for placing apprentices in jobs.
“One thing we know for sure is that Maricopa County is a growing community that offers a great quality of life. With this growth comes the need for more people with the skills to provide healthcare and bring new commercial buildings to house grocery stores, schools, and restaurants,” said Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. “I’m proud that Maricopa County is leading the way to offer rewarding career paths for our residents through these apprenticeships that will help fill in-demand jobs while strengthening our community and economy.”
The apprenticeship opportunities will direct participants to career pathways that support the major industry drivers of the local economy, including construction, healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to providing $12 million in apprenticeship opportunities, Maricopa County announced several other initiatives for innovative college and career opportunities to develop long-term success and build a skilled workforce for in-demand careers. These efforts have included:
- A $750,000 investment in a nurse readiness program announced in January 2022
- A $14.5 million investment announced in March that grows training and credentialing program for workers targeting in-demand career fields
- A $1.3 million investment announced in May to fund construction career training opportunities
- Opening a Workforce Development Center in Mesa and partnering with the Maricopa County Library District to expand access to career training resources in the East Valley
The funding is part of Maricopa County’s $435 million allocation of the federal American Rescue Plan Act which delivers a wide variety of services to help people recover from the effects of the pandemic. For more information on the apprenticeship program, visit Maricopa.gov/HSD and find financial, housing, legal, wellness, and educational assistance available at Maricopa.gov/Rescue.
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