More than 90 people are expected to benefit from the first year of a new program that brings accelerated career training opportunities to rural areas of Maricopa County. Approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors at its Nov. 1 meeting, the program, called Workforce 2 You, will be available to career seekers in Gila Bend, Queen Creek, and Wickenburg.
“The Workforce 2 You program is a direct response to address inequities surrounding access to training programs in rural communities,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman of District 4. “By offering this training, we are removing distance and cost barriers that have prevented so many of our residents from leveraging career coaching, credentials, and services that can support their success.”
Funded through a $500,000 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Grant provided by the Governor’s Office, the one-year pilot program will target youth, dislocated workers, veterans, and other populations most in need of workforce services.
The training programs will be offered in a variety of high-demand industries, including:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
Participants will be enrolled in accelerated training programs lasting between 4 and 12 weeks that provide opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials. The program also opens the door for participants to benefit from assistance with tuition, childcare, and transportation as well as other wraparound services provided by Maricopa County’s Human Services Department during their training and for up to 12 months after program completion.
For more information on this and other services offered by Maricopa County’s Human Services Department, visit Maricopa.gov/HSDConnect.
About Human Services
The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) builds resiliency in the community and promotes the well-being of County residents experiencing adversity through a variety of programs and services to help people and families thrive. These opportunities include early childhood education, housing, homeownership, independent living services for seniors and adults with disabilities, career development for job seekers with barriers to employment, crisis rental, and utility assistance, and support for people experiencing homelessness. HSD is committed to delivering innovative, equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive services in a collaborative approach that preserves dignity, promotes respect, and facilitates social and economic mobility. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to Maricopa County residents at Maricopa.gov/HSD.