Workforce board director says Arizona Work Northeast funded for a year, flags Zenni Home hiring plans

Adam Dryden, executive director of Arizona Work Northeast, told the Blue Ridge Unified School District governing board that the local workforce board is funded for the coming year and that the agency is coordinating with local employers to create training and work-experience opportunities for students.

Dryden said Arizona Work Northeast is funded for a year but that funding for youth programs beyond that is uncertain. He highlighted Zenni Home (the old paper mill site) and said the employer plans to hire about 1,400 people, adding that the company’s project in the Pine Top–Lakeside area could create substantial opportunities. Dryden said the workforce board is planning youth work-experience grants and that Eckerd Solutions will contact district principals to design in-school programs.

Why it matters: If Zenni Home and associated workforce programs proceed as described, the employer’s hiring plans and youth work-experience initiatives could present pathway opportunities for graduating seniors and other local jobseekers.

Details - Speaker: Adam Dryden, executive director, Arizona Work Northeast (local workforce development board). - Funding status: Arizona Work Northeast has funding for the coming year; longer-term youth funding is uncertain. - Employer engagement: Zenni Home (referred to as the old paper mill) is expected to seek to hire up to 1,400 workers; workforce board is planning youth work-experience grant opportunities. - Service area: Dryden stated Arizona Work Northeast serves “HeLa, Navajo, and Apache Counties” (as stated in his remarks).

Next steps: Eckerd Solutions will reach out to school principals to discuss in-school youth workforce activities and possible work-experience placements tied to local employer needs.