Maricopa County apprenticeship fair draws surge of job seekers and employers in Surprise

Maricopa County Workforce Development’s apprenticeship fair in Surprise drew about 91 check‑ins in its first 30 minutes and more than a dozen employers seeking apprentices in construction, advanced manufacturing, health care and transportation, a Maricopa County Workforce Development staff member said.

The event highlighted employer demand for electricians and commercial drivers. “Our most in demand positions are gonna be CDL drivers, class a, class b. As we know, the driver shortage is hitting everybody. Laboring, entry level positions is really big for us too right now,” a staff member said.

The county has set a goal of 3,000 registered apprentices by 2026. “On the first 30 minutes, I just heard we had 91 check ins, and so we're off to a really good start today,” the staff member said, describing early turnout.

Over the last three years, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has invested $12,500,000 in registered apprenticeships in high‑demand fields, the transcript states. The funding and the county’s enrollment goal were presented as context for why the fair was being held and the types of positions employers were recruiting for.

Job seeker Christian Garcia, who attended seeking an electrical apprenticeship, said apprenticeships offer hands‑on learning from experienced tradespeople. “You're working with people that might have been in the trade for 20, 30, 40 years. The older people are, you know, retiring and, like, they're just passing their legacy down to, like, to the younger generation, which is us,” Garcia said.

Organizers and employers emphasized immediate hiring needs rather than long‑term program details at the fair. The transcript does not record formal actions, contract awards or specific training program enrollments during the event.