Governor's Workforce Cabinet

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Governor Hobbs convene the Workforce Cabinet?

Connecting Arizonans to good-paying jobs is a top priority for Governor Hobbs. In line with this objective, Governor Hobbs wants to make sure her Administration is effectively coordinating across state agencies to support the private sector and make the most of workforce resources and programs.

Specifically, as outlined in the Executive Order, the Workforce Cabinet is created to “implement and coordinate actions, policies, programs, and engagement across state government to meet Arizona’s workforce needs and help create opportunities for every Arizonan, in line and in consultation with the mission, vision, goals, and strategies set by the Workforce Arizona Council.”

2. How is the Workforce Cabinet different from the Workforce Arizona Council?

The Governor-appointed Workforce Arizona Council is the state workforce development board, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), required by WIOA to assist the Governor in development of workforce policies, programs, and other activities (29 USC 3111). Per WIOA, the majority-private sector body identifies in-demand industries, statewide workforce goals, and makes recommendations to the Governor on effective use of workforce resources, among other powers and responsibilities. The Council includes representatives from business in the state, the workforce, and government.

The Workforce Cabinet is created to enhance the work of the Workforce Arizona Council by aligning state agencies, executive departments, offices, and all boards and commissions and resources to better carry out and achieve the state’s workforce mission and goals. The Workforce Cabinet is intended to bring this alignment across all parts of state government that play a role in addressing workforce needs. The priorities identified by the Workforce Arizona Council and the Governor will guide the work of the Cabinet, as they meet to develop specific strategies and metrics for meeting Arizona’s workforce needs in in-demand industries.

3. Who are the members of the Workforce Cabinet?

As outlined in the Executive Order, the following State Agencies, offices, commissions, and employees shall be members and designate a liaison to the Workforce Cabinet:

  • Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Arizona Commerce Authority
  • Arizona Department of Economic Security
  • Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
  • Arizona Department of Health Services
  • Arizona Department of Homeland Security
  • Industrial Commission of Arizona
  • Arizona Registrar of Contractors
  • Arizona Department of Transportation
  • Arizona State Broadband Office, under the Arizona Commerce Authority
  • Governor’s Office of Resiliency
  • Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry
  • Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services
  • Arizona Office of Tourism
  • Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations
  • Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family
  • Arizona Commission of African-American Affairs
  • Governor’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

3. What are current Working Groups?

The Governor also directed her Workforce Cabinet to adopt specific industry focuses and work groups. Initial industry-specific Working Groups include:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Construction Trades
  • Green Jobs
  • Broadband, Telecommunications, & IT
  • Early Childhood Education & Child Care
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Healthcare
  • Cybersecurity

In addition, target population Working Groups will include:

  • Tribal Communities
  • Veterans
  • Justice-Impacted Individuals
  • Women in the Workforce
  • Arizonans Living with Disabilities

4. What is the relationship between the Talent Ready AZ Initiative and the Workforce Cabinet?

Talent Ready AZ is a workforce and education initiative that is working to achieve the Governor’s vision of an Arizona for everyone by providing Arizonans access to education and training that lead to good-paying jobs. Talent Ready AZ is working to create education and training opportunities into high-demand and high-growth industries that are shaping the future economy of the state.

This Initiative includes the creation of the Workforce Cabinet, along with broader efforts, including child care, and other education initiatives of the Hobbs Administration, some of which are already occurring and others that are in development. Projects included in the Talent Ready AZ initiative include: the Arizona Community College Workforce Scholarship program, Future48 Workforce Accelerators, BuildItAZ, AZ Healthy Tomorrow, among other key initiatives to connect Arizonans to good-paying jobs in the state’s growing industries.

5. Does one percent of every state-administered federal program have to go towards workforce support and initiatives?

According to the Executive Order, “... [t]o the extent practicable and permissible under state and federal law, State Agencies shall allocate at least 1 percent of competitive and formula federal program funds toward on-the-job training and workforce development efforts, where appropriate and allowable, for programs with annual funds to the state exceeding $1,000,000.”

This means the state will invest federal dollars in Arizona’s workforce, to the extent practicable, according to eligibility and project needs. Agencies will have an overall goal of allocating at least 1 percent of funding across eligible programs, and may adjust allocations for individual projects or programs as needed, to achieve the primary goal of the funds, while also supporting workforce objectives.

6. How are the targeted sectors informed by the private sector needs and other workforce partners? How do I get involved in a Working Group as a private sector or workforce partner?

As mentioned a Q&A #1, the Workforce Arizona Council, responsible for directing the workforce priorities for the state, is majority-private sector representatives, along with representation from other workforce partners. The initial Working Groups were shaped by the Council’s designated In-Demand Jobs and Priority Populations, as well as data analysis from the Office of Economic Opportunity, target industries identified in the Arizona Commerce Authority’s five-year Business Plan, and ongoing engagement by the Governor’s Office with key stakeholders from across the state.

7. How will the Workforce Cabinet relate to Local Workforce Development Boards?

The Governor’s Executive Order does not affect Local Workforce Development Boards, while policies adopted by the Workforce Arizona Council can affect programs at the local level.

If you are interested in participating in a Working Groups as a private sector partner or workforce professional, please reach out to the Governor’s Office of Strategic Initiatives at [email protected].