Employment Centers
ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County
ARIZONA@WORK is the statewide workforce development network that helps employers of all sizes and types recruit, develop and retain the best employees for their needs. For job seekers throughout the state, we provide services and resources to pursue employment opportunities.
ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County is your local access to this public and private partnership which is comprised of 12 regional areas and over 40 local offices, all working together and all sharing one mission: providing innovative workforce solutions to employers and job seekers.
Through the support of federal funding, our services are provided at no charge.
ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County Business and Career Center
820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Bldg E (NE Corner of complex)
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
(520) 509-3555
https://arizonaatwork.com/locations/pinal-county
Training Centers
Drive48
The State of Arizona, Pinal County, City of Casa Grande and Central Arizona College have opened a new training center that will prepare Arizonans for jobs in high-tech industries. The state-of-the-art facility, named “Drive48,” features cutting-edge robots and multiple hands-on training rooms where technicians will train for jobs in advanced manufacturing.
Since 2015, manufacturing jobs in Arizona have increased at one of the fastest rates in the country. More than 180,000 Arizonans now work in the manufacturing industry, where jobs pay on average 21% higher than other private sector positions. Industry leaders to announce major relocations or expansions in recent years include Intel, Benchmark Electronics, Lucid Motors, Nikola Motor Company, TSMC, ElectraMeccanica, Raytheon and more.
“Arizona is in the midst of a manufacturing boom,” said Governor Ducey, who helped officially launch the new training center today in Coolidge. “We’re showing the nation what it means to welcome innovation and industry, while creating opportunities for people to work in high-skill, high-wage industries. When more products are ‘Made In Arizona,’ our entire economy benefits, and we look forward to keeping this momentum going.”
Drive48 represents a unique collaboration among government, industry and academia to bolster Arizona’s workforce training efforts. The facility was designed with flexibility in mind, meaning as industry needs change and evolve, training equipment and curricula can evolve with them.
“Talent is a key driver in business location decisions,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “With the opening of Drive48, we’re further enhancing Arizona’s robust manufacturing workforce pipeline, now and in the future. We’re grateful to the many partners who helped make this project possible.”
The Drive48 facility is currently outfitted to prepare workers for jobs in automotive manufacturing. The main training room features a large open area with multiple assembly robots used for training technicians in programming, maintenance, problem solving, troubleshooting, safety, general system requirements and more. The 13,000 square foot facility can train upwards of 100 students at any given time.
“Central Arizona College is excited to be the home of this cutting-edge regional workforce training center,” said Central Arizona College President Dr. Jackie Elliott. “This partnership is a testament to the commitment of all parties in investing in the state’s economy and enriching the lives of individuals through meaningful skilling and employment.”
Drive48 complements the Arizona Advanced Technology Network curriculum, a first-of-its-kind partnership developed by Arizona’s employers, public sector and academic institutions to meet the demand for high-tech manufacturing skills today and into the future. Central Arizona College was one of three community colleges in the state to engage with dozens of manufacturers to develop an unified, industry-recognized curriculum specifically designed to enhance skills training for manufacturing jobs.
“Thousands of high-tech jobs are coming online in Pinal County over the next few years,” said Mayor of Casa Grande Craig McFarland. “This facility and the many partners involved are ensuring our workforce can meet the demand while providing local graduates a pathway to gain new skills, acquire good-paying jobs, and stay right here in the community.”
Other partners involved in designing, constructing, and outfitting the facility include Architekton, McCarthy Building Companies, and Design Systems, Inc.
Find out more about Drive48 and Arizona’s manufacturing industry HERE.
Community College
Central Arizona College
The Signal Peak Campus of Central Arizona College (CAC) is located 10 miles east of Casa Grande. CAC is a comprehensive, accredited community college offering more than 50 pre-baccalaureate programs, from arts to engineering science, and more than 90 occupational programs of study. The college offers courses that transfer to universities and an extensive program of credit and noncredit professional development and skill enhancement classes.
Central Arizona College offers a wide variety of continuing education courses, programs and workshops, including custom tailored in-service training for local industry. CAC also offers courses through the internet and an interactive distance learning television network linking all district campuses with a full range of course experiences.
UNIVERSITIES
Arizona State University
Within an hour’s drive from the central Arizona region is Arizona State University. Arizona State University (ASU) is the largest public research university in the United States under a single administration, with total student enrollment of 98,146 as of fall 2016. It has six campuses.
In the 2015-2016 academic year, 21,953 students graduated from the university. The Princeton Review ranks ASU as one of the country’s top universities for undergraduate education in its 2017 edition of “The Best 381 Colleges.” The ranking puts ASU in the top 15 percent of all four-year colleges in America, citing ASU for its outstanding academics, quality of student life and numerous internship opportunities.
In addition to traditional programs, ASU is home to the Morrison Institute of Public Policy, the Global Institute of Sustainability and the Biodesign Institute.
University of Arizona
With a current enrollment of 43,625 students, the University of Arizona in Tucson is the leading public research university in the American Southwest. This is a diverse community of people who thrive on innovation and collaboration. The U of A’s world-class faculty creates discoveries that improve the human condition and fuel the state’s economy. Their research enterprise provides undergraduate students with opportunities for hands-on experiences that can be found in few universities in the world. As the state’s land-grant university, U of A’s research and resources enrich communities around the state and around the world.
The U of A is ranked 19th by the National Science Foundation. Students work alongside world-class professors to discover new knowledge and launch their own careers. The University has also been nationally recognized and ranked in the fields of medicine, management, physical sciences, communications and law.
Employers can count on a steady output of well-educated, trained professionals. The U of A awarded a total of 9,973 degrees for the 2015-2016 academic year, which included 7,089 bachelors, 1,977 masters, 524 doctorates and 383 first professionals.
Maricopa Agricultural Center
The goal of the Maricopa Agricultural Center is to develop, deliver and service the best integrated agricultural technologies for all problems faced by Arizona consumers and producers. Research focuses on cotton, small grains, alfalfa and new specialty crops that could be used to provide fibers, oils and pharmaceuticals. The Center also supports extension outreach programs such as Ag-Ventures, various University classes and Ag-Literacy for all ages.
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a four-year public research university that offers 151 number of degree programs. NAU has a student population of approximately 30,000 at its main campus located in Flagstaff and at over 35 sites across the state.
NAU Distance Learning allows students to pursue higher education through alternative learning environments that meet the demands of today’s busy student. Distance Learning is flexible, delivered through new and innovative technologies, and allows students to meet their educational goals outside of, or in conjunction with, a traditional classroom setting. With technological advances, NAU now employs a variety of mediums to deliver programs to students worldwide. NAU Distance Learning continues to adapt to serve an evolving student population driven by different educational needs. Distance Learning is offered via more than 35 campuses across Arizona.
Vocational Schools
Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology
1362 N. Casa Grande Avenue
Casa Grande, Arizona 85122
(520) 423-1944
www.cavitschools.com
Ppep Tec – Alice S. Paul Learning Center
220 E. Florence Boulevard
Casa Grande, Arizona 85122
(520) 836-6549
www.ppeptechs.org
Pinal County College Campuses
Central Arizona College
Casa Grande Center
1015 E. Florence Boulevard
Casa Grande, Arizona 85122
(520) 494-6050
www.centralaz.edu
Coolidge Center
8470 N. Overfield Road
Coolidge, AZ 85128
Phone: (520) 426-4444
www.centralaz.edu
Northern Arizona University
Coolidge Campus
8470 N. Overfield Road
Coolidge, Arizona 85228
(520) 421-1394
www.nau.edu