Published September 8, 2024
As AZ ranks high for skilled job growth, here's how Arizona Commerce Authority is growing the local economy
As AZ ranks high for skilled job growth, here's how Arizona Commerce Authority is growing the local economy
By any measure, Arizona is experiencing a job explosion. According to Lightcast, Arizona ranked in the top three for job growth between 2018 and 2022 and in the top five for growth in skilled jobs, those requiring more advanced degrees.
High-tech, high-wage industries such as semiconductors, aerospace, bioscience and heath care, batteries, renewable energy and more are flourishing. This momentum coincides with rising personal income levels and decreasing unemployment.
As the state’s leading economic development agency, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is laser-focused on advancing Arizona’s economy and growing high-quality jobs in the state. As part of that mission, we dedicate considerable efforts to enhancing Arizona’s already top-ranked workforce.
Workforce is a priority that every company, no matter how big or small, shares. Arizona has been leading pioneering workforce development solutions for years. Our approach involves bringing all stakeholders together in a comprehensive effort including leaders in academia, industry, government, nonprofits and more. As a result, Arizona boasts one of the most robust talent pipelines in the country, and businesses have taken note.
Programs that create opportunity
Workforce development isn’t just about economic development, though — it’s also about opportunity. It’s about providing the chance for someone to enhance their skills, climb the economic latter and find more fulfillment in their vocation. It’s about helping Arizonans realize their innate potential in ways they didn’t know were possible.
Programs like Arizona’s Future48 Workforce Accelerators or our apprenticeship models bring these opportunities to people across our state, in both rural and urban communities. We’re partnering with community colleges, universities and expanding companies to pair in-demand skills with Arizonans ready to learn them. The good-paying jobs these skills lead to include semiconductor technicians, automotive assembly workers, cybersecurity professionals and much more, with plenty of room for advancement.
As Governor Hobbs said during her inaugural State of the State, “The easiest way to change someone’s life is to offer them the opportunity for a new or better job.” We believe firmly in that mantra and are working hard to bring that opportunity to every Arizonan who wants it.
We’re also grateful to partners like the Phoenix Business Journal and are proud to sponsor this special edition on workforce development. We look forward to building on Arizona’s momentum to make the most of the opportunity before us and thank the many partners we are privileged to work with across the state.
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.
Final Thoughts
Arizona's thriving job market and booming industries are creating significant opportunities for skilled professionals looking to relocate. With a strong focus on workforce development and partnerships across education, business, and government, the state is well-equipped to meet the demands of high-tech industries like semiconductors, aerospace, and renewable energy. For those moving from out of state, Arizona offers not just job growth but the chance to build a career in an environment that fosters innovation and personal advancement. If you're seeking a fresh start in a place where opportunity abounds, Arizona should be at the top of your list.
