PHOENIX — The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) has launched the third round of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative, the office announced Wednesday.
The BuildItAZ initiative was launched in 2023 with the goal to expand the number of registered construction and trades apprentices by the end of 2026.
There is $2 million in federal capacity-building grants being invested into the program in order to expand the registered apprenticeships around the state.
“Since 2023, BuildItAZ has added more than 5,000 new apprentices to Arizona’s registered apprenticeship system — building a stronger, more diverse and better-prepared workforce for high-demand, high-wage careers,” Director of OEO Carlos Contreras said in the announcement. “These apprenticeships provide hands-on, practical training that bypasses traditional college debt while learners earn wages from day one in family-supporting vocations.”
When does the third round of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative launch?
Applications for the next round of the program are currently open and close Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.
This is the third round of investments that BuildItAZ has received.
It, along with $1.65 million in grants previously awarded to the program, will go towards:
- Increasing the capacity through instructors, equipment and facility expansion.
- Recruiting and retaining apprentices.
- Providing wrap-around support such as childcare, transportation and tools.
- Expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programs connected to registered apprenticeships.
The first round was funded in May 2024 by a $650,000 federal grant and went toward five construction and trade apprenticeship programs, directly supporting more than 500 apprentices.
In November 2024, BuildItAZ then had $1 million in federal funds added to the program.
Then in April of this year, the program disbursed a $1 million grant to seven different apprenticeship programs.
The goal is to have 8,700 apprentices by the end of next year.
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