Arizona has launched an expanded push to connect rural residents with jobs in advanced manufacturing through ReadyTechGo, a new partnership between the governor’s office and a network of community colleges. The initiative uses the Automated Industrial Training (AIT) curriculum already offered at participating colleges to deliver accelerated, industry-aligned instruction designed to move students quickly into manufacturing roles that rely on robotics and automation.
Trainees in the ReadyTechGo program work hands‑on with an industrial robotic arm during manufacturing training at a community college facility.
Program organizers say ReadyTechGo offers multiple entry points for learners. Short-term pathways can prepare students for certain roles in as little as two weeks through an intensive, fast-paced curriculum, while other students may choose to pursue longer stacks of credentials that can culminate in a full associate degree within two years, depending on the field of study. The courses also provide opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications in areas that include electric vehicles, semiconductors, medical devices and aerospace.
The AIT coursework is being delivered at community-college labs and regional campuses across the state to increase access for people who live outside urban centers. Participating institutions include Central Arizona College, Coconino College, Estrella Mountain Community College, Mesa Community College, Mohave College, Pima Community College and Yavapai College. Officials emphasize that completing a certification through AIT can open doors to high-wage positions in local and national manufacturing operations while shortening both the time and cost usually associated with credentialing.
Demand from employers underpins the program’s expansion. Several major companies with a presence in the region — including TSMC, Boeing, Lucid Motors, LG Energy Solutions, Purina and Raytheon — have public hiring needs that program leaders say ReadyTechGo aims to help address. The state’s manufacturing sector already supports more than 162,000 jobs across the Phoenix and Tucson regions, and officials say the need for skilled workers in robotics and automation continues to grow, creating opportunities for program graduates to fill thousands of open positions.
"ReadyTechGo is the latest of several statewide initiatives to boost advanced manufacturing jobs in our state," Governor Katie Hobbs said. "Thanks to key collaborations among leaders in government, industry, and education, Arizona has become a desirable location for large employers. ReadyTechGo will be instrumental in continuing that work and ensuring our workforce is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow."
Average pay for some of the roles the program targets can be substantial: the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity reports the average salary for a robotics technician in Maricopa County is $75,000. Program backers point to that figure as evidence of the potential return on investment for students who complete AIT credentials and enter the advanced-manufacturing workforce. Organizers also emphasize that the pace and flexibility of ReadyTechGo are intended to serve a wide range of learners, from recent high‑school graduates to working adults seeking reskilling.
Students use automation equipment and a tablet in a community‑college lab as part of Arizona’s ReadyTechGo industrial manufacturing training initiative.
Leaders at partnering colleges say the program is designed to bring hands-on training to communities that historically have had fewer pathways into high-tech manufacturing. "At Coconino Community College, we see ReadyTechGo as a gateway for our local talent to access Arizona’s rapidly evolving technology sector," said Sandra Tarbell, vice president of academic affairs at Coconino Community College. "This initiative brings invaluable training opportunities to our community, giving students from traditional learners to working adults the practical skills required for today’s most in-demand manufacturing careers."
Officials behind the expansion say ReadyTechGo is intended to be a flexible, employer-informed pipeline that can quickly supply qualified technicians and operators to meet the needs of advanced manufacturing employers. By combining short-term certificates, stackable credentials and traditional associate-degree options, the program seeks to reduce barriers for rural Arizonans while aligning training with the hiring demands of high-tech companies operating in the state. Reporting on the expansion and program details was conducted following statewide announcements and statements from participating education and government officials.