Sundt Construction will host Arizona State Legislative members from the Senate and the House of Representatives to discuss the state’s shortage of skilled trade workers.

Sundt will highlight its workforce development partnership with CAC, according to a press release. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Central Arizona College’s campus in Coolidge, 8470 N. Overfield Road, Building V.

In 2017, Sundt developed its partnership with CAC to offer one- and two-year degrees in heavy equipment operations, welding, pipefitting and industrial carpentry.

The release states that since the development of the award-winning program, 991 students have participated in it and its success has initiated similar programs for CAC.

State senators expected to attend the event are Sean Bowie, Rosanna Gabaldon, Sally Ann Gonzales, Theresa Hatathlie and TJ Shope.

State representatives slated to attend are Jennifer Longdon, Walt Blackman, Cesar Chavez, Brian Fernandez, Melody Hernandez, Steve Kaiser, John Kavanagh, Sarah Liguori, Teresa Martinez, Myron Tsosie, Justin Wilmeth, Quang Nguyen and Jennifer Pawlik.

Skilled trades remain among the most challenging jobs to fill nationally for the seventh year in a row, according to The Talent Shortage Survey by ManpowerGroup.

By 2024, it is estimated that Arizona will need more than a quarter-million skilled tradespeople to meet the state’s needs, the release stated.

Sundt Construction Inc. is one of the country’s largest general contractors. The 132-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial, building, concrete and renewable energy work and is owned entirely by its approximately 2,000-plus employees. Sundt has 12 offices throughout Arizona, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Utah.