News — labor gaps

Expanded college construction program fills labor gaps in Northern Arizona A year ago, students of construction trades at Coconino Community College worked in cramped outdated quarters. Labor-strapped construction companies snatched them up upon graduation, or before. Like much of the state, northern Arizona is seeing a construction industry on the rise. But qualified workers have long been in short supply. “It’s challenging with our students trying to fit a schedule,” said Jeff Jones, dean of career and technical education (CTE) at the college. “Many are in evening classes so they can work at entry level during day and increase their skills at...