Arizona Western College wins BuildItAZ grant to expand local construction apprenticeships

Arizona Western College was selected as one of ten Arizona-registered construction apprenticeship programs to share a $3 million BuildItAZ grant, state leaders announced on January 8. The award, part of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative, is intended to boost the pipeline of skilled construction workers as Arizona’s economy expands — a development that matters for job seekers and employers across La Paz County.

Governor Katie Hobbs framed the grant as a step toward broader economic inclusion, saying, “Creating opportunity for working-class Arizonans is critical to realizing the Arizona Promise. Arizona has established itself as a national and international economic giant, with businesses of all shapes and sizes growing and moving to our state. This influx means more jobs, more opportunity for Arizonans to access family-sustaining, stable careers, and more demand for skilled construction workers. Increasing construction apprentices is core to building Arizona’s future, whether it’s new manufacturing facilities, new roads, or new housing, and I am proud of the progress we have made to ensure Arizonans are at the center of it all.”

The BuildItAZ initiative has invested approximately $5 million to expand high-paying construction career pathways since its 2023 launch, and this round distributed $3 million among ten registered apprenticeship programs. Arizona Western College was the only community college selected in the three rounds of awards, positioning the college as a regional hub for apprenticeship growth.

Dr. Reetika Dhawan, AWC’s Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurial College and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare, emphasized the student and regional benefits: “This BuildItAZ award opens doors to opportunity, mobility, and high-skill careers that once felt out of reach for our students. Arizona Western College is committed to breaking barriers, expanding access, and building innovative training models that meet students where they are. This grant energizes our mission and fuels the future of our region.”

AWC is already a registered apprenticeship sponsor with the state and partners with Yuma County employers to offer apprenticeship pathways in Broadband Fiber Optics and Electrical Technology. Through these programs, students earn paid on-the-job training with local employers while completing accredited coursework at AWC. Local residents of La Paz County seeking stable, family-sustaining careers in the trades can apply or explore partnerships with employers through apprenticeship@azwestern.edu or by visiting azwestern.edu.

For La Paz County, the grant could reduce skill gaps that hinder local construction projects and make it easier for area employers to hire trained workers without recruiting from distant labor markets. Expanding apprenticeship slots also creates a paid training route that can help residents enter well-paying technical fields without the full cost of traditional four-year degrees.

Our two cents? If you’re looking for steady work with on-the-job pay or you run a local contracting business needing skilled hires, reach out to AWC. Apprenticeship openings are a practical way to build local careers and keep construction dollars flowing in La Paz County.