Right now, opportunity is everywhere. Arizona’s five key industries—Advanced Manufacturing, Business and Financial Services, Construction Trades, Healthcare, and Information Technology (IT)—have more open jobs than skilled workers ready to fill them. As the state’s largest workforce developer, Maricopa Community Colleges is closing the talent gap by preparing Arizonans for high-impact careers that lead to upward mobility and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
“Our approach is to listen to Arizona’s business and industry leaders and respond by developing programs they need to build a highly skilled talent pipeline,” said Dr. Steven Bloomberg, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “By making education affordable, accessible, and flexible, we provide opportunities for every Arizonan to pursue a pathway to high-wage careers in the state’s most in-demand industries.”
Why It Matters
As one of the top four states for best job creation, Arizona is drawing a growing number of companies and start-ups, and demand for skilled talent is climbing fast. With an estimated 67% of all Arizona jobs set to require some form of postsecondary training beyond high school by 2031, Maricopa Community Colleges is a driving force behind the state’s workforce strategy. To deliver talent pipelines for employers, the 10-college system offers more than 600 certificate and associate degrees, including 11 workforce-aligned bachelor’s degrees, along with three additional four-year degrees launching in 2027.
Workforce Solutions that Strengthen Arizona
Working closely with industry, business, government, and nonprofit leaders, Maricopa Community Colleges develops custom training solutions that address critical workforce needs in Arizona’s top five high-impact and high-demand industries, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing—Arizona’s manufacturing industry employs 195,555 people. In 2025, the industry exported $39.5 billion in goods, with semiconductors and other electronic components accounting for $6.3 billion, and $5.6 billion in aerospace parts and products. To prepare a pipeline of skilled workers that supports the industry and keeps the state competitive in the global marketplace, the system offers 31 advanced manufacturing programs, including Automation and Robotic Technologies, Electrical Technologies, and Semiconductors.
- Business and Financial Services—Arizona continues to grow faster than the national median in finance, insurance, and business support services. With over 504,000 jobs, the state ranks among the top three for the highest financial industry concentration and the top five for the business and financial services concentration. The system offers two business-focused bachelor’s degrees, along with business- and finance-related certificates and degrees, designed to equip learners with job-ready skills to succeed in the industry.
- Construction Trades—Construction is facing a well-documented shortage, with the average age of 42 and 22% over 55. For every five skilled tradespeople who retire, only two are trained and ready to replace them. In Phoenix, the labor market averaged 42.300 workers in 2025, seeing a 6% year-over-year increase. With over 15 construction trades certificates and degrees, students learn hands-on skills from industry professionals to build residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Arizona.
- Healthcare—Arizona’s growing population, along with aging demographics, is leading to longer wait times for routine procedures such as diagnostic imaging scans, wellness visits, blood work, and medication refills. It’s estimated that by 2030, the state will need over 14,000 registered nurses, 1,120 dental hygienists, nearly 1,000 physical therapists, among others. As Arizona’s most extensive integrated healthcare education system, Maricopa Community Colleges offers over 70 integrated healthcare programs, including healthcare-related bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Computed Tomography, as well as the forthcoming Health Services Leadership. The system recently announced plans to expand its Radiologic Technology program.
- IT—The Greater Phoenix area is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing tech hubs and is expected to create more than 4,000 new jobs this year. To support local businesses and government agencies, Maricopa Community Colleges offers two bachelor’s degrees, 11 associate degrees, over 60 certificates, and three IT-focused microcredentials. Graduates leave the programs well-trained for high-demand tech roles as Computer and Information Systems Managers, Computer Systems Analysts, and Cybersecurity Specialists.
Local Impact Fuels the State Economy
Maricopa Community Colleges’ impact is represented by one in every 30 jobs throughout Maricopa County. Not only does the system support over 108,000 jobs, but it also adds nearly $9 billion annually in income to the county’s economy. As students graduate and enter the labor market, that significance only increases. Alumni generated more than $7 billion in additional income to the county’s economy, equivalent to supporting nearly 87,000 jobs.
Learn more about workforce development initiatives at maricopa.edu.