ICYMI: Sen. Kelly Tours Union Apprenticeship Program in Phoenix, Talks Workforce Development

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Last week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly visited the Arizona Pipe Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) in Phoenix, where he met with apprentices and program members to discuss the skills they are learning to prepare for good-paying construction jobs at TSMC, Intel, and other sites across the state.

First, Kelly heard from union leaders about the critical role of union apprenticeship programs in the workforce needs of major construction projects in the state. Kelly shared about his work in Congress to ensure investments and jobs coming to Arizona as a result of his CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act benefit the very people in these programs.

Later, Kelly toured the facility, which houses five-year training programs for plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC tradesmen. The JATC currently trains more than 1,000 apprentices who work full time while enrolled. 

Finally, Kelly—who learned to weld while at the Merchant Marine Academy—had the opportunity to put his skills to work.  

Background 

The Arizona Pipe Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC), operated by Arizona Pipe Trades Local 469, is a five-year training program for men and women in plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC-refrigeration trades. The program supports the workforce for major construction projects throughout Arizona, including Intel, TSMC, Chase Field, Tucson Convention Center, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, U.S. Airways Center, and Sheraton Downtown Phoenix. Operating since 1910, the program currently trains more than 1,000 apprentices.  

Multibillion dollar investments from semiconductor and clean energy companies, including Intel and TSMC, have created tens of thousands of construction jobs in Arizona. These investments are supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Kelly’s CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark $52 billion plan to boost domestic microchip manufacturing. Union apprenticeship programs that supply the workforce building these facilities are essential to Arizona’s emergence as a global hub for the semiconductor industry.