Title
Phoenix Economic Overview and Update: Part 5 - Building a Stronger Regional Workforce - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee with an overview of Phoenix’s workforce system and its continued shift toward high demand industries. The presentation highlights the City's coordinated programs, employer partnerships, and innovative training models that strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support long-term economic competitiveness.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
This presentation is the fifth installment of the Phoenix Economic Overview and Update series and provides an overview of how Phoenix’s workforce system is evolving in response to rapid population growth, shifting labor market demands, and the expansion of high-demand industries. The City continues to strengthen its workforce infrastructure through coordinated partnerships with the Phoenix Business and Workforce Board, employers, education institutions, ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix providers, and community partner organizations.
Phoenix's collaborative workforce system ensures that Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funded services, training programs, and employer-driven strategies are delivered cohesively across job centers, community sites, and innovative platforms to support a resilient workforce and a strong regional talent pipeline.
The City’s workforce efforts are further strengthened by employer-driven and industry-aligned training models, including advanced manufacturing apprenticeship pathways developed with partners such as TSMC, the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement, and local community colleges. Initiatives like Summer Youth RISE, ElevateEdAZ, and the Industry Driven Skills Grant expand opportunities for youth, job seekers, and workers to access high-quality work-based learning, early career exposure, and upskilling aligned with industry demand.
Innovative delivery models, including the Phoenix Mobile Career Unit and the forthcoming Innovation 27 workforce training and education center, further expand access and ensure that training, employer engagement, and career services remain responsive to labor market needs.
Workforce development partner organizations play a critical role in training, upskilling, and aligning workers with in demand jobs. The presentation will highlight the programs of ecosystem partners Helios and Westmec to showcase how efforts across the workforce ecosystem collectively support long-term economic resilience and reinforce Phoenix's ability to cultivate and sustain a stronger regional workforce.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.