A statewide organization focused on workforce development will hold concurrent meetings next month in Mojave County’s three largest cities to hear from businesses on what trainings and programs they need to boost their local economies. I plan to listen to
Arizona@Work is a statewide workforce development network that helps employers develop and retain the workforce they need and provides resources for those seeking employment. The organization utilizes federal funding to provide its services free of charge and includes 12 regional districts within the state, each led by its own local committee.
Michael Smith, executive director of Arizona@Work’s Mojave/La Paz Workforce Development Commission (also director of Mojave County Community Services), held “Workforce Conference” meetings simultaneously in Kingman, Bullhead City, and Lake Havasu City. Said it was going to happen. On identifying job skills that are currently in short supply in the local workforce.
This information will be used by the Mojave/La Paz County region to update its regional plans every four years.
“Local planning is what determines how Arizona@Work uses/spends the federal funds it gets for employee training,” Smith said. “That is why we are reaching out to local businesses.”
All three meetings are scheduled for August 9th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Meetings in Kingman will be held at the Mojave County Department of Community Services, located in the City Council Building at 700 W. Beale Street. The meetings in Lake Havasu City (1977 W. Acoma Blvd.) and Bullhead City (3400 State Route 95) will both be held on their respective Mojave Community College campuses.
Smith said Arizona@Work has already reached out to many local businesses to let them know about the conference, and companies interested in participating or wanting more information should contact Smith at Michael.Smith@mohavecounty.us. I said please. Please register in advance if you plan to attend. RSVPs can be emailed to him at Thompr@mohave.gov.
“We are looking forward to companies participating, and we are already talking to quite a few businesses in our local communities who plan to participate,” Smith said. “We will take that information and use it to advance local plans and address the needs of the businesses we represent.”
Smith said he hopes to hold these types of meetings with local businesses more often than in the past.
“My goal is to do this once a year instead of every four years,” Smith said. “I always want to listen to what is needed.”
Smith said 51% of Arizona@Work’s Mojave/La Paz regional board is made up of local businesses from a variety of sectors. The Board also includes representatives of “core partners” who can help provide vocational rehabilitation, business or employment services, and education. He said Mojave Community College will also be attending a local meeting in August to provide information on how to work with Arizona@Work.
“They will also be at the table to discuss how we are developing training at MCC and how they really tie together,” Smith said.
Smith said MCCs often take the lead in offering specific types of training identified within the community. If community members need help paying for training or meeting required guidelines, Arizona@Work will provide financial support. One recent example is his MCC’s ongoing commitment to providing advanced manufacturing training.
Arizona@Work, on the other hand, focuses on attendee preparation.
“We’re really helping to break down some of the barriers that might have been holding people back,” Smith said. “So if they need a GED or re-entry, whatever we can do to really make a difference in our community, that’s what our program is about, that’s what we do.” is.”
Last year, Smith said, the Arizona@Work initiative returned just over $4 million to the community in the wages of people they helped get trained.
