Local First Arizona Implements Final Phase of Partnership Program to Grow Northern Arizona’s Rural Workforce
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Charlotte Shaff
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Local First Arizona Implements Final Phase of Partnership Program to Grow Northern Arizona’s Rural Workforce
The Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network offers new resources to rural and tribal communities and employers
PHOENIX Oct. 9, 2025) — Local First’s Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN) has officially entered its final phase of implementation. Starting in 2022, this regional program developed new training initiatives in the food services, healthcare and social assistance, construction and manufacturing sectors. Now those training programs are open for enrollment with many of them free or discounted, with financial incentives available to employers who use the programs to hire and upskill. NAGJN’s goal is to build a rural workforce ecosystem that connects people to good jobs, creates more local talent pipelines for rural businesses and supports employers in operating by “Good Jobs Principles” to attract and retain skilled workers.
“Local First led and coordinated this network in our role as the state’s Rural Development Council,” said Kimber Lanning, Founder and CEO of Local First Arizona. “The program was designed to foster more collaboration and resource-sharing within the education and workforce systems and to keep rural employers’ needs front and center. This means those businesses need to offer quality jobs that provide good pay, benefits and growth opportunities - which the Good Jobs network supports.”
The multi-year NAGJN program was funded by a grant from the Arizona Office of the Governor, and its focus aligns with the Talent Ready AZ Initiative that Governor Katie Hobbs launched last year. The NAGJN area consists of five northern Arizona counties - Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai and Mohave - with a combined civilian labor force of 376,000 individuals. The NAGJN region includes 13 Tribal Nations and 26 energy-distressed communities, with many areas still struggling with unemployment, persistent poverty and food insecurity. The NAGJN programs are designed to upskill the Northern Arizona workforce, connect workers to existing and emerging job opportunities and support employers directly in providing good pay, benefits and growth opportunities. The programs, which were identified by regional employers as top priorities, include:
Automotive and RV Maintenance and Repair at Coconino Community College;
Stackable Construction Program led by Northland Pioneer College in Navajo and Apache counties and on White Mountain Apache Tribe land;
Medical Assistant Accelerator at Yavapai College;
Essential Manufacturing Skills Training offered by Mohave County throughout Northern Arizona;
Advanced Manufacturing Training at Mohave College’s new Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Kingman;
Food Service & Entrepreneurship programs led by White Mountain Economic Development available throughout the NAGJN region;
Non-Technical Skills Training offered by White Mountain Economic Development, Mohave College and Yavapai College, available throughout Northern Arizona;
Childcare provider support led by Southwest Human Development and Local First Arizona across the five-county area; and
Good Jobs Employer Assistance led by the Center for the Future of Arizona, with financial incentives available from Local First Arizona for businesses that commit to hire from or upskill incumbent workers using the NAGJN training programs or engaging in the Good Jobs steps with hands-on support.
“The Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network is a first-of-its-kind program, based entirely on broad, regional collaboration of multiple sectors across rural Arizona,” said Holly Kurtz from the Center for Future of Arizona. “Together, we’re launching new resources geared to rural communities and to helping rural businesses become more competitive employers.”
As part of the NAGJN program, wraparound services also will be available at no cost to employers or trainees, in order to help the most vulnerable populations access and complete the training programs. The Northern Arizona Council of Governments will coordinate these services across the different training providers. All of these NAGJN offerings and features are designed to work together to strengthen rural Arizona as a place where people can build and sustain a high quality of life.
Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network participants include counties and towns; state, tribal and local government workforce development systems and operators; economic development organizations; business and industry stakeholders; institutions of higher education; and public/private organizations. For more information about a specific program or to sign up for classes, contact workforce@localfirstaz.com.
About Local First Arizona
Established in 2003, Local First Arizona is a non-profit organization fiercely dedicated to driving inclusive community and economic development throughout Arizona. We have created a movement that champions a thriving and diverse economy, fostering community support and an unwavering sense of local pride and purpose in every Arizonan. Our work shapes the future of Arizona by advocating that every individual and community deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that entrepreneurship is at the core of any lasting economy. In rural, Tribal, suburban and urban communities across our great state, Local First is delivering resources to ensure a future focused on economic opportunity for all. Because our state is our story. Follow Local First Arizona on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or subscribe to the newsletter to receive regular updates on programs.
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