By Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity and BuildItAZ
The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity is launching Round 3 of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative—investing another $2M in federal capacity-building grants to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships across the state. This effort aims to double the number of registered construction and trades apprentices by the end of 2026.
This is the third round of grants within Gov. Katie Hobbs’ BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative connecting Arizonans to industry-led, construction career pathways. The $2M in federal workforce grants, along with $1.65M in BuildItAZ grants previously awarded, are focused on helping eligible apprenticeship programs:
- Increase capacity through instructors, equipment and facility expansion;
- Recruit and retain apprentices;
- Provide wrap-around supports like childcare, transportation and tools, and
- Expand access to pre-apprenticeship programs connected to registered apprenticeships.
Launched in 2023, BuildItAZ aims to expand opportunities for employers and apprentices in Arizona, with the goal of adding thousands of additional active construction apprentices by 2026. To date, it has successfully expanded the state’s skilled construction workforce by 5,000 new construction and trades apprentices. The earn-while-you-learn apprentice initiative remains on track to double the number of construction trades registered apprentices by 2026 to support the state’s growing economy and connect Arizonans with good-paying, high-quality jobs.
BuildItAZ funding supports hundreds of apprentices across Arizona with critical needs such as tools, boots, books, tuition and program support with training equipment and instructors.
Applications for Round 3 opened August 14 and close September 25 at 3:00 p.m. For more information about the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative and to apply for the third round of grants, visit OEO’s website at oeo.az.gov.To learn more about BuildItAZ, visit builditarizona.com. (Source)