Building a Stronger Workforce Together – Northern Arizona at Capitol Hill

On April 2, Assistant Director Regina Salas represented northern Arizona at Workforce Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., meeting with Arizona’s congressional offices. Alongside Pinal County leadership, she advocated for full funding of the workforce system and reauthorization of WIOA, ensuring rural communities have access to high-skill, high-wage job opportunities.

AZ Apprenticeship Summit: Championing Apprenticeship as a Strategic Talent Solution

On April 10, Assistant Director Regina Salas represented Northern Arizona at the Arizona Registered Apprenticeship Summit, joining a panel on expanding apprenticeships. She highlighted the need for early career-connected learning and strong collaboration between employers and educators. Coconino County’s leadership through the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network was proudly spotlighted.

Building a future-ready at the AZ Lifelong Learning Conference

Assistant Director Regina Salas represented ARIZONA@WORK Coconino County at the Arizona Association for Lifelong Learning (AALL) Conference on April 11. She presented with Holly Kurtz on Northern Arizona’s transformative work through the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network, emphasizing career exploration, work-based learning, and building future-ready rural communities. Special thanks to board member Carolyn Kidd for her warm invitation!

Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network ends Phase 2 with Expanded Training and Strategic Partnerships

On April 18, we hosted the final Phase 2 meeting of the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network at Moonshot, welcoming NACOG as our new partner. We reviewed key training programs and new initiatives, setting the stage for Phase 3’s focus on community awareness, employer engagement, and workforce development across rural Northern Arizona.

13th Annual High Country Stand Down

The Coconino County Workforce Development Board is proud to support the 13th Annual High Country Stand Down—an event dedicated to honoring and serving our local veterans.

We invite you to join us in this vital community effort to connect veterans with resources, services, and support.

A Life Transformed: A True Story from the 2025 Page Stand Down

Shared by Linda Branch, Title III Workforce Supervisor, Workforce Solutions Administration, DES

We were honored to take part in the 2025 Page Stand Down, a vital event connecting veterans with much-needed resources in one central location. The event began with the inspiring presentation of colors by the Veteran Mounted Riders and included the City of Page receiving the “Purple Heart Community Award.”

Among the many meaningful moments, one story stood out. A veteran named Chris visited the ARIZONA@WORK table seeking employment. Our team member, Jennifer Gale, helped enroll him in the Arizona Job Connection system. As they worked, a local community member connected to the Elks Club approached and offered Chris a job—only to learn Chris couldn’t follow up because his phone service was disconnected. Without hesitation, the man gave Chris $100 to restore his phone.

Chris returned the next day, haircut done and phone active, and shared how the stand down changed his life. The day before, he had been in crisis and contemplating suicide. But a phone call, a warm meal, a helping hand, and hope made all the difference.

This powerful moment reminds us why our work matters. Together, we make an impact.