Free job training programs in Arizona.
Arizona provides several services to individuals that are seeking a job or who are looking to gain new skills. Some of the programs available include job training, career counseling, workforce development, and assistance with conducting job searches. Most of the services are offered for free at Career Centers or the AZ works centers. A focus is on the unemployed, veterans, and those looking to start a new career. Call 602-542-2460 for the main customer service, or find more details below.
Extensive resources are offered for job seekers. Individual attention is provided at One-Stop Centers in Arizona. See below for a listing of the locations. The centers provide placement services for the unemployed and other job seekers. Local employers and businesses are also offered labor force recruitment programs.
Employment Services are wide ranging and include assistance with conducting a search, referrals, training and job placement assistance. Many centers will also occasionally hold job fairs, which are another proven resource to use when searching for open positions. The Rapid Reemployment Initiative is a service that will connect displaced employees with hiring companies. All of this and more is provided. Assistance is available to anyone who is seeking a new career or position without regard to religion, race, national origin, age, or gender.
One-on-one support is provided for individuals who are seeking a new skill or job. One-Stop Centers can offer resume development assistance, Skill Assessments, and Career Counseling. Get help in enrolling into government sponsored resources such as the Training Grant Program or one that offers Apprenticeship Opportunities.
Self-training and computer labs are generally available. The sites will provide free computer access or the use of phone banks. Or touch up on your computer skills and different software packages. Staff are generally available to answer questions as well.
Educational programs and opportunities are offered. The state will help ensure that residents over the age of 16 have opportunities to learn available to them. A key resource is the Arizona Career and Technical Education Service. The state offers access to quality educational opportunities to support employment, job training and higher education aspirations. It prepares Arizona families for workforce success and will allow students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for a career that is in high demand and will help people realize their potential.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security is one of the leading agencies that supports the community. They administer many resources. Among them is the Adult Program. The goal is to provide core, intensive and training services to individuals age 18 and older. It is available for the low income, working poor and those who are at or lower than a level of self-sufficiency.
Much of this is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult Program. This provides core, intensive and training services. It is available to all adults in Arizona, as federal government funding allows.
Core services that are part of WIA include counseling and assessment. The more in depth, intensive and training services, are for those clients that have been determined to be in need of those additional resources in order to obtain employment. The Workforce Investment Act also provides a wide range of training services to customers. These are offered to individuals who remain unemployed and are unable to obtain other grant assistance for services or education, including Pell Grants.
The Dislocated Worker Program in Arizona can support individuals who have been laid off, terminated, or those that have even just received notice of an upcoming termination or layoff. Most of the assistance is focused on those impacted from plant closures, outsourcing or downsizing. Homemakers and the self-employed can also qualify as being a displaced worker in some cases.
Case management and assistance will be provided from One-Stop Centers in an effort assist unemployed workers and help transition from a layoff back to work. While what is offered will vary based on a number of factors. Clients may receive job search, retraining and/or placement assistance. Specialists will also provide useful labor market information on companies and employers in Arizona, as well as high demand careers. Or get advice on filing for public aid during the period of unemployment.
Youth programs are offered as part of WIA/Workforce Investment Title IB Act. This is a possibility for residents who range in age from 14 to 21. It can increase the focus on their longer-term academic and occupational learning opportunities. Both in school and out of school components are available. Examples of the assistance provided to youth and teenagers include the following.
- Get information on summer employment opportunities directly linked to occupational and academic learning.
- Work with a counselor from a One-Stop Center on tutoring, access study skills training and instruction classes.
- Students can learn about and apply for paid and unpaid work experiences in Arizona. This can include internships and job shadowing opportunities.
- Other services include occupational skill training, leadership development, and other supportive services, as well as ongoing follow up.
WIA also provided for the Arizona Senior Community Service Employment Program/Title V. This is available for low income residents over the age of 55. It fosters useful part-time training opportunities (which are mostly community service assignments) for clients. Participants may be placed into positions with non-profit or public/government agencies. Examples can include teachers aids, work at charities, non-profits, hospitals, and other sites.
During the program, the worker will be offered a “training” wage that will be equivalent with the current minimum wage for up to 20 hours of community service assignment. They will generally receive some benefits such as worker’s compensation coverage and an annual physical examination. At the conclusion of the training or part-time role, participants are assisted in pursuing and securing employment opportunities, and the position may even lead to a full time job opportunity.
Veterans Program can both develop and support opportunities for military members and veterans to obtain employment and access job training in Arizona. Qualified applicants will receive priority services in obtaining referrals and training by DES staff. Those veterans that currently receive Unemployment Insurance claimants will receive early intervention and immediate referrals to suitable job openings in their town, county, or city. Other services offered include workshops, counseling, job development, and screening for assistance programs services.
If you lost your job and are unemployed (or even underemployed) due to outsourcing, then look into the federally funded Trade Assistance Act. Workers in Arizona that have become totally or partially unemployed or are threatened to become separated may qualify. This can also provide financial aid to pay living expenses, counseling, relocation assistance, and provide other employment resources to participants.
Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers can stop by a One-Stop Center. There are federal government resources available for clients, and Arizona fully participates in them. Examples include employment assistance from the National Farmworker Jobs Program.
Vocational Rehabilitation is for those residents who are disabled or with a serious medical condition. In some cases the individual may be on SSI. The Arizona program helps them become or remain economically independent through some form of work. VR is will assist persons with disabilities in becoming economically independent and obtain a source of income. Among other benefits it will eliminate or even decrease their need for ongoing Arizona public aid and other government support.
Clients will be subject to a comprehensive rehabilitation process which engages them. Counselors and specialists will partner with the disabled in actively exploring their current abilities, vocational interests, experience, and capabilities.
Locations of Arizona One-Stop Centers
There are a number of centers, Arizona Workforce Solution, and other programs listed below, by city and county. Or call the main customer service/intake center at 602-542-2460 for details.
Apache County Workforce Partnership Main address is 74 N. Main St, Suite 5-7 Eagar, Arizona 85925 Telephone number is (928) 333-4454
Centers that support the metropolitan Phoenix area.
Phoenix Workforce Connection North The main center is at 9801 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020 (602) 861-0208
Workforce Connection of Western Phoenix Address is 3406 N. 51st Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85031 Call (623) 247-3304 for hours.
Connection Hope VI Community Training & Education Location is 1150 S. 7th Ave Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Call (602) 534-2043 These Phoenix locations often have information on employers in the area and can ensure clients are properly trained to get a job with them.
Phoenix Workforce Connection South 4732 S. Central Ave Phoenix, Arizona 85040 Telephone number is (602) 534-4732
Cochise County Workforce Development Douglas One-Stop 1706 E. 10th St. Douglas, AZ 85607 (520) 364-8906 Another place to turn to for employment assistance in the county is 1843 Paseo San Luis, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635, call (520) 458-9309 Or stop by Cochise College Career Action Center, 901 Columbo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635, (520) 515-5457
Coconino County Arizona Department of Economic Security Location is 1057 Vista Ave Page, Arizona 86040 Call (928) 645-8131
Central Arizona Association of Governments 414 Marshall St., B Casa Grande, AZ 85222 Phone: (520) 836-1887
Gila County Division of Health and Community Services 5515 S. Apache Ave, Suite 200 Globe, AZ 85501 Call (928) 425-7631 for information. A second location is 605 S. 7th St, Globe, AZ 85501, dial (928) 425-3101
Graham One-Stop Resource Center Address is 1910 W. Thatcher Blvd. Safford, Arizona 85546 Call (928) 432-6936
Greenlee One-Stop Resource Center 300 N. Coronado Blvd. Clifton, AZ 85533 Phone: (928) 865-4003
La Paz County 1032 Hopi Ave. Parker, AZ 85344 Phone: (928) 669-8385. Cal lfor hours of the center.
Maricopa County
Several agencies offer job training, counseling, help for the unemployed, and other assistance.
- 735 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite 134, Gilbert, Arizona 85234, (602) 372-9700
- West Valley Career Center, 1840 N. 95th Ave, Suite 160, Phoenix, AZ 85037, call (602) 372-4200 for intake.
- Vista Del Camino Center, Address is 7700 E. Roosevelt, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257, telephone (480) 312-2323
- 120 W. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210, main number is (602) 771-6900
- 10005 E. Osborn, Scottsdale, Arizona 85256, (480) 362-7935
Mohave County Community and Economic Development Department 700 W. Beale St Kingman, AZ 86401 Phone: (928) 753-0723 Another office is at 301 Pine St, Kingman, AZ 86401, (928) 753-4333
Navajo County Two centers are in the region. They are 319 E. Third St, Winslow, Arizona 86047, (928) 289-4644 as well as a second at 2500 E. Cooley, Suite 410, Show Low, AZ 85901, dial (928) 532-4313.
Employment centers that focus on Native Americans
- Colorado River Indian Tribes, 13390 1st Ave., Parker, AZ 85344, dial (928) 669-8555
- Hopi Tribe, Main Street off Highway 264, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039, (928) 734-3541
- Kino Service Center, 2797 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713, call the office at (520) 243-6700
Pima County region
- 195 W. Irvington, Tucson, AZ 85713, (520) 741-7188
- Rio Nuevo One-Stop Career Center, 340 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tortolita Building, Tucson, AZ 85745, dial (520) 798-0500
- Arizona Department of Economic Security, 316 W. Fort Lowell, Tucson, AZ 85705, (520) 293-1919
Gila County
Address is 605 S. 7th St, Globe, AZ 85501, telephone number is (928) 425-3101 100 N tonto St., Payson, AZ 85541, (928) 472-9339
Pinal County - Central Arizona Association of Governments Address of the center is 414 Marshall St., B Casa Grande, Arizona 85222 Phone: (520) 836-1887 Get information on local and nation job training programs. Other services provide include access to computer labs, counseling, and ongoing support.
Santa Cruz County The career center is at 610 N. Morley Ave Nogales, AZ 85621 Call (520) 375-7670
Yavapai County
Workforce Connection - East County 1500 E. Cherry St, Suite F Cottonwood, Arizona 86326 Phone: (928) 634-3337
West County Workforce Connection Location of center is 221 N. Marina, Suite 201 Prescott, AZ 86301 Telephone number is (928) 778-1422 Or a third location is at 3274 Bob Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, dial (928) 277-2600
Somerton Career Center 663 E. Main St. Somerton, AZ 85350 Call (928) 627-9396
Yuma County Career Center Main address is 3834 W. 16th St. Yuma, Arizona 85364 Dial (928) 329-0990
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