Gov. Katie Hobbs visited South Mountain Community College in Phoenix to promote the BuilditAZ Apprenticeship Initiative.

The effort is a collaboration between the Governor’s Office, business, industry, and community leaders to strengthen Arizona’s construction trades and apprenticeship programs.

“The hands-on learning experience provided through apprenticeships, while earning a salary and gaining invaluable on-the-job experience, is one of the best tools we have to grow and retain our workforce,” Hobbs said. “Demand is higher than ever.”

As Arizona’s leading provider of workforce development training programs, the Maricopa County Community College District supports the BuilditAZ Apprenticeship Initiative. To offer broader access to the Construction Trades programs, the District now offers the program at four of the system’s 10 colleges, including GateWay, Mesa, Rio Salado and South Mountain.

“Maricopa County is currently experiencing a high demand for construction jobs, surpassing the national average with over 700 jobs each month,” Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor Dr. Steven. R. Gonzales said. “Addressing the urgent need for skilled construction trades professionals, Maricopa Community Colleges provides students with hands-on learning experiences taught by industry professionals, serving as a pipeline for employers seeking a highly skilled workforce.”