As part of an ongoing conversation and continuing effort to find solutions on how to fill thousands of vacant jobs in the Arizona construction industry, Senator Steve Smith and the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation will tour the Gateway Community College Trades Program on Tuesday.

This is the first of three tours highlighting Arizona schools that offer construction trade programs and apprenticeships. Graduates from these programs play a vital role in filling this shortage of skilled labor jobs.

Event participants will have the opportunity to network before touring and learning more about the college’s construction workforce trade program. The event has already reached its maximum capacity of 100 attendees.

“We need to find ways to solve our worker shortage to continue the forward momentum Arizona’s economy is experiencing,” said Senator Smith. “I am excited to see the swell of interest from our local industry leaders, business community and educators. By working together in this collaborative effort, I know we can successfully connect job seekers with construction trade schools and employers.”

“The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation launched five Workforce Collaboratives to address employers’ number one need, finding qualified talent to expand and grow their operations. With more than 10,000 open construction jobs, construction projects are being significantly delayed, impeding the region’s economic growth,” said Jennifer Mellor, Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “We organized a series of tours to help build connections between employers and training providers with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of students moving through these programs into construction-related careers.”

The Gateway Community College Central City Campus Trades Program tour is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30. An overview of the Trades Program and campus tour will be held from 1-3 PM. The Central City Campus is located at 1245 E Buckeye Road.