Arizona construction apprenticeship program gets $1M in funding

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Monday that $1 million in federal funds will be added to a program that supports apprenticeships in construction and trade jobs.

As part of the next phase of the BuilditAZ Apprenticeship Initiative, the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity will use the funding to recruit and retain apprentices and help with services such as child care and transportation.

“We are continuing to build a strong construction talent pipeline to meet the demands of our growing state,” Hobbs said in a press release. “Apprenticeships open up economic opportunities for Arizonans, are jobs from day one, pay good wages and teach people valuable skills that pave the way to family-supporting careers. With this new funding, we are strengthening our investment in Arizona’s workforce and economy.”

Arizona construction apprenticeship program started last year

BuildItAZ started in 2023, providing apprentices with financial assistance for tools, books, tuition and equipment. The program invested approximately $650,000 to assist five organizations in its first year, directly supporting more than 500 apprentices.

“This investment in the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative demonstrates our commitment to workforce development and the future of Arizona’s construction and trades sector,” Carlos Contreras, director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, said in the release.

The next grant round opens Dec. 3.

“The BuildItAZ grants have elevated our apprenticeship programs by enhancing the skill level of our apprentices and strengthening our workforce,” Allison Moore, human resources manager at Rummel Construction, said in the release. “These improvements ensure a more robust program, empowering us to deliver innovative solutions in heavy civil construction.”