AZNext: Workforce Training Accelerator Partnership for Next Generation Jobs

The Arizona State University AZNext Program is a public-private partnership designed to create a bold, innovative, and sustaining workforce development ecosystem that addresses the need for more skilled workers in IT, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing roles. Through bridging collaboration between the W. P. Carey School of Business, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences with employers, workforce development networks, economic development organizations, and industry partnerships, AZNext creates job-training, upskilling, and reskilling models designed to connect technically skilled and certified workforce to next generation jobs.

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Spotlight

Testimonials

Check out this interview with Tekletic’s Casey Fox as he discusses AZNext’s ability to build boot camps specific to employer needs or veterans discuss what they got out of the Business Readiness for Vets program that they immediately applied to their careers on our AZNext YouTube Channel. You can also follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter at AZNext_ASU.

ASU leads effort to upskill, reskill workforce through $8M grant

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Arizona State University an $8 million grant to lead an innovative workforce development partnership to help train workers for high-paying, high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and information technology (IT).

Partnerships

Some recent notable industry partnerships with AZNext include upskilling and reskilling members of The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) in Fintech and other programs, Bakers Equipment Manufactured and Allieds (BEMA) on the Internet of Things, and working with Cloud Range on Cybersecurity Programming and Connecting with Trailhead and Salesforce for a Developer Academy.

Arizona PBS Horizon: Rob Buelow discusses AZNext

AZNext specifically focuses on programs leading to high-skilled, high-wage jobs in the field, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Upskill or re-skill to move your career forward through a grant awarded to ASU by the U.S. Department of Labor

As artificial intelligence, automation enabled technologies, data analytics and engineering advancement change employer needs and opportunities, our workforce development program will help you gain the skills necessary to fill the open positions that come with them. AZNext is designed to build your skills, and provide access next generation opportunities. Partner employers are equally committed to this mission, offering professional experiences and training toward career paths focused on IT, Cybersecurity and Advanced Manufacturing.

Contact us or read our FAQ for updates and more information.

Advanced Manufacturing

Computer-aided Design Technician
Electrical Engineers

Energy Engineers
Engineering Technologists

Industrial Engineers
Manufacturing Engineers

Mechanical Engineers
Robotics Engineers

IT and Cybersecurity

AI Prompt Master
Business analysts
Computer and information analysts
Computer programmers
Computer support specialists

Computer systems analysts
Computer user support specialists
Cloud Engineer
Database administrators
Data Scientist
Dev Ops Engineer

Information security analysts
Management analysts
Machine Learning Engineer
Network Engineer
Network Systems Administrator

Security Analyst
Software Engineer
Software/Bot developers and programmers
Software Q/A Engineer/Tester
Web developers

Types of Training Models

Simulated work experience

Provides the experience of traditional work-based learning in a non-workplace setting.

Employer Upskilling and Retention

Workforce training design and infrastructure for upskilling your employees.

Internship

A paid experience integrating knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application in a professional skill.

Train-to-hire program

A training program in line with employer hiring needs leading to interviews and placement upon successful completion.

Pre-apprenticeship

A short-term training in technical and soft skills to prepare for an apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeships

A competency-based program combining paid on-the-job training (OJT) and related instruction leading to an industry credential.

Note: A registered apprenticeship requires 2000 hours OJT and has additional DOL benefits for employer. An unregistered apprenticeship has flexible program length.

AZNext Team

Grant Staff

Raghu Santanam | Executive Director

Rob Buelow | Program Director

Patrick White | Project Coordinator

Mike Benesh | Program Coordinator

Daniel Fitzsimmons | Data Analysis Specialist

Veronica Gavotto | Program Manager, Workforce Development

Jeania Kimbrough | Project Manager Research

Anna Choi | Project Manager Research, CAPS Research

Savita Rao | Program Coordinator

Karlin Klass | Placement Coordinator

Kim Danielson | Program Facilitator

Academic Program Leaders

Arunachala Mada Kannan | Fulton Schools of Engineering

Edgard Luque | W. P. Carey School of Business

Thomas Sugar | Fulton Schools of Engineering

Karen Watanabe-Sailor | The New College

Partnership Directors

Timothy Beatty | Fulton Schools of Engineering

Octavio Heredia | Fulton Schools of Engineering

Ryan Owens | W. P. Carey School of Business

Community Partners

AZCEND
Black Chamber of Arizona
Center for the Future of Arizona
City of Phoenix
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Institute for Supply Management
Maricopa Community Colleges
Maricopa County
Partnership for Economic Innovation
Pipeline AZ
Scitech Institute
Tucson Metro Chamber

Employer Partners

Information Systems / Cybersecurity

American Express
AutoMon
Caterpillar
Choice Hotels
Cinteot
Cognizant
CommonSpirit
Deloitte
Celltrust
Entrepix
Fortinet
HCL Software
IDlink
Infosys
InStride
Intel
Intuit
Iron Mountain
JNR Networks
Knight Transportation
Medtronic
Nationwide
Offerpad
Oppty
Paradox
Petsmart
Salesforce
Siemens
Silicon Valley Bank
Sonoran Quest Laboratories
SRP
StandardAero
Swift
Tata Consultancy Services
TEK Systems
Tekletics
Translational Genomics Research Institute
TPI Composites
Vertech
Western Alliance Bancorporation

Advanced Manufacturing

Boeing
Chemonics
Delta technology
Eclipse Automation
EVG
Honeywell
L3Harris
Lallemand
Lucid
Marcu Engineering
Nikola
NXP Semiconductors
Oryx Additive
PADT
Paradigm Manufacturing
Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners
Raytheon

Contact us

Please email us at AZNext@asu.edu or visit aznext.pipelineaz.com to learn more about the ASU AZNext program.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.