Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Arizona’s Leading Construction Talent Pipeline

PHOENIX, AZ (October 6, 2023) – As Arizona’s unprecedented economic growth continues, the state is also experiencing a rapid uptick in construction projects across the state. Arizona has developed a deep pipeline of quality construction jobs that will help build and sustain a future that will benefit all Arizonans.

In September 2023, the Phoenix Metro area was ranked No. 2 in the nation for industrial property supply pipeline with over 51.1 million-square-feet of space under construction.

Read the ACA Fact Sheet detailing Arizona’s construction talent pipeline.

Arizona’s workforce continues to grow with key partnerships across industry, government and academia. Recently, Governor Katie Hobbs, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and the Arizona Industrial Commission announced the Voluntary Protection Program. The workplace safety program will cover the 12,000 construction workers currently on-site supporting TSMC’s Phoenix project.

In August 2023, Governor Hobbs also announced the BuilditAZ Apprenticeship, a statewide initiative to double the number of construction and trades registered apprentices by 2026. This program focuses on increasing access to apprenticeships for women and other underrepresented learners while increasing postsecondary attainment.

“I’m proud to bring TSMC and Arizona workers together to create safe, good-paying jobs, expand our middle class, and invest in the future of our economy,” said Governor Hobbs in August. “Arizona will work tirelessly to train the workforce of the future as we lead the country in semiconductor manufacturing. With workers and business at the table, we will ensure Arizonans have the skills they need to thrive for generations.”

Arizona’s construction talent pipeline has grown substantially in recent years as project activity boomed. Between 2017 and 2022, Arizona saw the second-fastest construction employment growth in the country. Arizona added over 50,000 construction jobs during that time, the fourth most of any state. Arizona also added 3,900 construction jobs in August, according to the August 2023 Employment Report released by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. The state is projected to add 37,000 new construction jobs by 2031, according to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

Comprehensive training programs are developing a skilled construction talent pipeline to build the projects of tomorrow. Mesa Community College, Arizona Western College, Pima Community College, West-MEC and more offer a variety of construction-related programs to prepare students to enter the construction workforce.

In addition, education and industry partnerships are focused on building the talent pipeline to support the state’s economic growth. In March 2023, McCarthy celebrated the grand opening of its Innovation and Craft Workforce Center (ICWC) in Chandler. The Center serves McCarthy’s 500 Arizona-based and 2,000 regional craft professionals and trade partners and facilitates craft training. The facility will also support the development of Arizona’s future construction trade workforce through partnering with local Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, such as the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), ACE Mentor Program of America, and various other K-12 and college programs.

Read more about Arizona’s construction talent pipeline advantages HERE.

Media Contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.