BuildItAZ program expands
ARIZONA – A total of US$1 million in funding will be allocated for the next phase of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship (BuildItAZ) initiative, according to Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).
The program aims to connect Arizonans with the skills they need for construction and trades jobs.
Following the launch of BuildItAZ in 2023, Arizona saw growth in construction and trades apprenticeship enrollment, marking progress toward its administration’s goal of doubling the number of registered construction and trades apprentices by 2026.
To continue efforts, OEO will award US$1 million in federal workforce funds to registered apprenticeship programs to recruit more apprentices, retain already enrolled apprentices, and provide wraparound services such as child care and transportation.
In early 2025, OEO will seek industry partners to launch and support a BuildItAZ public outreach and information campaign to recruit more apprentices, especially women, into well-paying construction careers.
“We continue to build a strong pipeline of construction talent to meet the demands of our growing state,” said Governor Katie Hobbs.
“This investment in the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative demonstrates our commitment to workforce development and the future of Arizona’s construction sector and trades,” said Carlos Contreras, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity.
In its first year, the initiative invested approximately $650,000 to help five organizations significantly expand registered apprenticeship training opportunities and boost program effectiveness.
This funding has already directly assisted more than 500 apprentices with critical needs such as tools, boots, books, tuition, and program support with training equipment and instructors, and this number will increase in the coming years.
The BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative aims to expand opportunities for employers and apprentices in Arizona, with the goal of adding thousands of additional active apprentices by 2026.
