A new report ranks Arizona and Maricopa County as national leaders in adding skilled jobs and workers over the past five years. Maricopa County claimed her fifth no in the past six years.1 spot in Talent Attractive Scorecard Released by Lightcast, the world leader in labor market analytics.
New this year, the report ranked states by their ability to attract talent, placing Arizona in the top five.
Also read: Five of Arizona’s ten fastest growing cities are in the West Valley.
learn more: Here’s why Arizona’s jobs recovered faster than the U.S.
Contributing to the state’s top ranking are high marks in areas such as:
• Third highest job growth – Arizona had the third highest rate of job growth at 6.8%, ahead of Florida and Texas.
• Fourth fastest rate of growth in educational attainment –Arizona experienced the fourth-highest percentage increase in educational attainment (a measure of the number of adults over the age of 25 with at least an associate’s degree) at 15.8%.
• Skilled jobs have the fifth highest growth rate – Arizona had the fifth-highest percentage of skilled workers, occupations requiring more formal education and advanced training, at 11.8%.
The report reflects Arizona’s highly effective and innovative workforce development programs and continued attraction to leading companies in sectors such as manufacturing and technology.
“Over the past eight years, we have established an environment that attracts jobs and people, and that momentum is undiminished,” said Gov. Doug Ducey. can get the right education, enroll in skills training, and find quality jobs.Our state believes in empowering and encouraging work.This is the path to endless success. It is our recipe for the promise of continued opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.”
Arizona’s attractiveness to new residents heavily influenced the rankings.Of all counties in the United States, Maricopa County has Maximum numerical population growth Over 58,200 new residents were added between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021. Arizona ranks her third in population growth in the latest census, with the state’s workforce growing its population for the 27th straight month.
Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Department of Commerce, said: “These rankings reflect a proactive and collaborative approach to building links between universities, community colleges and industry, providing new avenues for students and workers to acquire in-demand skills. We look forward to continuing to build on these efforts as we look to Arizona in the eyes of the world.”
The state is also nationally recognized for its workforce development efforts. By 2021, the State Launched Drive48is a state-of-the-art training center south of Phoenix that brings together Central Arizona Colleges, Pinal County, and industry. Since its inception, over 1,700 Lucid employees have completed programming. This includes hands-on training using assembly robots and other equipment essential to the production of electric vehicles.
To build on Drive48’s success, this year Governor Ducey allocated $30 million It plans to build six additional advanced manufacturing training centers in the state, featuring industry partnerships in areas such as semiconductors, batteries and electric vehicles.
The state also pioneered an advanced training curriculum known as: Arizona Advanced Technology Networkcontinues to invest in skills training at universities and community colleges.
