Workforce Module

Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization

The Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization clearly communicates how our economy is evolving, and what that means for Arizona’s workers and learners. View current and projected growth in industries and occupations, as well as pathways to better jobs by county and statewide.

The Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization is a tool decision-makers can use to provide a common understanding for groups as they plan for the opportunities of the future.

Project Information Sheet

workforce

The Visualization in Action

An economic development manager in Pinal County wants to forecast the skilled workforce needed to support the county’s growing high-tech manufacturing sector by 2033. Using the visualization, she learns that skilled manufacturing jobs are projected to increase by 41% under current trends - 10 points higher than was projected for 2030, with new industries like electric vehicles and semiconductors driving even greater demand.

The tool pinpoints key roles that will be in high demand — including industrial engineers, industrial machine mechanics, mechanical engineers, and software developers. Recognizing that local talent production is insufficient to meet future needs, she can proactively draft strategies to recruit talent from nearby Maricopa and Pima counties, work with educators to expand local training programs, and create upskilling opportunities for the existing workforce.

By 2033, Arizona will need
600,000+
more trained workers, especially in
high-skill, high-growth, high-wage job areas
a 19% increase over the initial projection for 2030

Statewide Takeaways

The strength of the Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization lies in users’ ability to simultaneously understand their local context in relation to the state’s changing economy. Here are a few key takeaways from using the visualization:

Arizona is poised for growth and opportunity

Arizona’s economy is expanding rapidly across most industries, generating high-quality jobs and attracting skilled workers from around the globe. By 2033, we anticipate significant job creation in key sectors:

35K
Health Care

21K
Prof. & Scientific

12K
Finance

21K
Construction

10K+
Manufacturing

Are Opportunities Available to All?

Arizona’s rapid growth hasn’t translated into equal opportunities across regions, races, and genders. This visualization highlights disparities and guides interventions. For example, high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs are overrepresented in Maricopa County (+16%) but underrepresented in Cochise County (-52%).

Pathways to Better Jobs

Workers in lower-wage or high-automation-risk roles have pathways to better opportunities that align with Arizona’s economic needs. The visualization highlights these opportunities, such as entry-level fabricators who - with advanced training - could access jobs paying $26K more annually.

Preparing Arizona’s Future Workforce

High-quality jobs require advanced skills and education, yet Arizona isn’t producing enough qualified graduates to meet demand. Strengthening local education and training systems - and raising awareness of available opportunities- will ensure that Arizona’s youth are prepared to lead the state’s future economy.

What’s Next?

The Education and Workforce Visualization provides common foundational knowledge to groups planning to meet the challenge of Arizona’s rapidly changing economy:

Policymakers identifying opportunities to create high-wage jobs and provide pathways for those at risk of automation displacement.
Community college leaders aligning programs to meet countywide needs.
Business owners planning to expand, knowing that the workforce is - or will be - available.

The workforce module is a tool to use in meeting the challenge of a rapidly growing economy and creating opportunities and a prosperous future for all.

This visualization can help Arizona guide a changing economy to be more prosperous for all.

Ready to see for yourself?
Schedule a visit. Email us at: decisioncenter@asu.edu