Free job training program returns to 3 rural Arizona Communities

Maricopa County expands its Workforce 2 You program with $500,000 in funding, bringing free job training to rural residents in three communities.

A significant expansion of rural job training opportunities is taking shape in Maricopa County, Arizona, as officials green-light a second year of the innovative Workforce 2 You program. The $500,000 grant-funded initiative, which removes traditional barriers to career advancement, will now reach more residents in Queen Creek, Wickenburg, and Gila Bend through enhanced programming and increased capacity. Here’s what we gleaned from the official press release.

Expanded access to free job training

The program’s second year will feature eight classes, up from its initial offering. This will allow 96 participants to access valuable career training that typically costs $20,000 per person. Workforce 2 You eliminates financial barriers by providing the training at no cost to participants while also covering transportation, supplies, and necessary tools.

Supervisor Mark Stewart of District 1 emphasized the program’s significance for regional development, stating, “Arizona is an attractive place for a variety of industries to do business because of our low taxes, relatively low cost of living, streamlined regulations, and skilled workforce. By investing in job training programs and extending access into rural communities like Queen Creek, we are building our local talent pipeline and supporting economic development in the East Valley and all of Maricopa County.”

Meeting diverse community needs

The program specifically targets youth, veterans, dislocated workers, and other populations requiring career support. Training focuses on high-demand sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing. Additional resources, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, are available in communities like Gila Bend, where approximately 75% of residents are Hispanic or Latino.

District 4 Supervisor Debbie Lesko highlighted the program’s accessibility, noting, “The Board’s support of rural job training is more than education, it’s about creating opportunities for people who can’t easily access traditional workforce programs.”

Demonstrated success and future impact

The expansion follows a successful initial year and aligns with broader workforce development efforts in Maricopa County. The Human Services Department’s Workforce Development Career Centers recorded nearly 20,000 visits in fiscal year 2024, with over 3,255 residents enrolling in individualized services for training and direct support in in-demand industries.

In the press release, District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallardo emphasized the program’s equitable approach: “No matter what part of town they live in, Maricopa County residents deserve the opportunity to benefit from high-quality career training and job opportunities.”

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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Copper Courier staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.