Yabapai College is taking a major step in integrating local workforce and economic development, working with Yabapai County supervisors. Starting July 1st, Yabapi College will serve as the official one-stop operator and Title IB service provider under the Arizona @Work Statewide system.
As part of this new integration, a One-Stop Center will open on Yabapi College’s Prescott Campus, joining existing locations in Prescott Valley and Cottonwood. These centers provide free services to all Yabapai County residents and employers, including services provided by the Department of Economic Security (DES), including employment assistance, career counseling, vocational training and other workforce development resources.
The Yabapai County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the award and designation of Yabapai College as a Title IB Program Provider and One-Stop Operator of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by the Labor Force Development Board on May 21st at a meeting yesterday.
“Yabapai County is proud to be part of a statewide effort to strengthen the economy by coordinating education, training and employment opportunities. Through collaborations with partners like the Yabapai County Workforce Development Board and Yabapai College, we are building a resilient workforce that meets the unique needs of our communities and local industries.
“Our mission is to empower our community and ensure an accessible and affordable education that will lead to a sustainable living wage career here in Yabapai County,” said Dr. Lisa Line, president of Yabapai University. “Through this partnership, we are building a stronger, more dynamic workforce in our local area.
It supports the long-term economic vitality of our employers and our region. We need to diversify our local economy. The goal is to coordinate services and connect with other existing workforce development entities in the future. ”
This partnership is strategically meaningful on multiple levels. Yabapai College is already deeply embedded in the county’s economic ecosystem.
• Regional Economic Development Centre (REDC) that provides labor market data, employer outreach and customized workforce solutions. In 2024, REDC served 850 job seekers, 239 employers, offered over 1,200 courses and programs, and hosted six Job Fair events in Yabapai County.
•Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides expert guidance, workshops and resources to help local entrepreneurs and small businesses launch, grow and prosper. In 2024, SBDC created 300 jobs, maintained 196 jobs, helped launch 106 businesses, and advised more than 400 clients in Yabapai County.
As the best place for higher education in Yabapai County, the local economic impact of Yabapai University cannot be denied. The university adds $203.7 million to the Yabapai County economy each year, with each dollar that students invest in education receiving $7.80 in future lifetime revenues.
Along with the new one-stop centre, these YC programs create a seamless ecosystem that supports both job seekers and employers, making tools more accessible for financial success under one roof.
Yabapai County’s one-stop system operates under a dual framework of surveillance.
•At the state level, the Workforce Arizona Council sets a strategic direction under the leadership of the governor.
•Locally, the Yabapai County Workforce Development Board brings together a diverse group of corporate, non-profit, and public agency leaders so that programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of the county’s economy.
Arizona@Work is Arizona@Work, a statewide workforce development network dedicated to helping employers hire, train and retain qualified workers, while helping job seekers with all employment services.
Yabapai College features seven campuses and centres throughout the region, offering over 100 degrees of certification, four bachelor’s degrees, robust student services, and a variety of cultural events and community programs.
