Who We Are

The Center for Workforce Development is committed to fulfilling the job training needs of the many and diverse employer communities throughout Maricopa County. The Center serves as a hub that connects workforce development programs and resources available through the Maricopa Community Colleges and Skill Centers to employer communities in the Greater Phoenix area.

Our Mission

To be the recognized leader in the Greater Phoenix area for the development, implementation, and facilitation of regional workforce development initiatives and public policy.

The Center is a resource that connects and supports workforce development programs and available resources through the Maricopa Community Colleges to any business or organization, public or private, in the Greater Phoenix area. We are a central resource for the most current labor market information, as well as regional and national data on economic and workforce trends and issues. The Center serves as a hub, bringing together industry and education for discussions on curriculum and faculty training. Additionally, we can direct you to regional economic development entities that provide a wealth of information regarding both Arizona's economy and its workforce.

Our Vision

Ensure that the Greater Phoenix economy has a skilled labor pool, which meets the existing and emerging workforce needs of the employer community.

Key Strategic Directions

The Center actively engages in, and helps influence, public policy related to economic and workforce development issues. This is done by:

• Utilizing the existing community-wide presence and credibility of the Maricopa Community Colleges for the definition and creation of regional consortia, forums and partnerships that focus on the development of strategic workforce initiatives and programs.
• Developing an expanded awareness of the role the Maricopa Community Colleges play in the region's economic and business growth and development. The Center convenes experts, futurists, partners, faculty, occupational administrators and others, to discuss needs, issues and concerns surrounding local and regional workforce needs.
• Leveraging the strengths and breadth of the individual Maricopa Colleges and Skill Centers' workforce training and education programs through collaborative and innovative strategies that meet the changing needs of private and public businesses, industries and organizations.

Services

The services provided by the Center for Workforce Development and Maricopa Community Colleges offer solutions that satisfy the workforce needs of the business and employer communities of the 21st century. Detailed information is available regarding workforce resources, career information, and the colleges and curriculum of the Maricopa system. The services available through the Center and Maricopa's network of colleges and skill centers ensure:

• Skills are easily transferred from one employer community to another;
• Resources and partnerships can be leveraged within each community;
• A rapid response to employer community requests along with flexible delivery of programs;
• Priority is given to collaborative regional strategies for workforce and economic development;
• Recommendations and needs defined by regional groups and task forces (Industry Clusters, the Arizona Partnership for the New Economy and the Governor's Task Force on Higher Education) are incorporated into training;
• Quick responses to unique workforce needs, such as health care and teacher education; and
• National industry standards are used when applicable for specific programs and curriculum.

For information about the Center for Workforce Development staff, please click here.