As business booms in Arizona, the state wants to double the number of tradesmen, and women, in the next few years.
On Friday, more than 100 electricians graduated from the Phoenix Electrical JATC Apprenticeship Program — a record number of students to fill the needed roles.
“They put in the work,” Director Shawn Hutchinson said. “We hope they all stay here right here in Arizona, and in our market and help us to meet the needs of the economy here.”
During the four-year program, students complete classroom time, labs and work as apprentices in industries hungry for top-tier talent.
“I want to grow in the business and eventually be a foreman,” graduate Jazmyn Montgomery said.
CEO of Rosendin Electric, Mike Greenawalt, employs some of the graduates.
“I see young men and women that have a future that is so great,” Greenawalt said.
He worked his way up to the top from this very apprenticeship program four decades ago.
“The 45 years I’ve spent in this industry was for this next group coming up,” Greenawalt said. “Graduations like this are the key to the growth of our economy in Arizona. We’re in a phase of growth in Arizona that we’ve never seen before and we’re suffering a labor shortage.”