SCOTTSDALE, Ariz – The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), a leading trade association for contractors in Arizona, celebrated 35 electrical apprentices at its Apprenticeship Graduation on May 29, 2026. Graduates were joined by families, ABA members, local dignitaries Joann Bueno, Arizona Director of Apprentices, Tom Cole, Register of Contractors Director, Adrian Fontes, Secretary of State, and industry professionals to mark the completion of the ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program.
ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program is formally recognized by the US Department of Labor and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and combines classroom instruction with hands-on training under the guidance of experienced construction professionals. The ceremony honored graduates who committed to a structured four-year, 8,000-hour indentured electrical apprentice program covering electrical construction, OSHA 10 certification, and National Electrical Code training. Upon graduation, each graduate joined the ABA’s legacy of trained professionals built over 30 years of serving Arizona’s construction industry.
“Every person who crossed that stage today chose a path that demanded commitment from day one, and Arizona’s construction industry is stronger because of it,” said Kim Davids, President of the Arizona Builders Alliance. “This graduation is proof that when we invest in people, the return goes far beyond the job site. It strengthens families, businesses, and the communities that Arizona’s construction industry serves every single day.”
Unlike a traditional academic graduation, ABA students have been earning wages from day one, gaining real-world experience on active job sites while building the technical knowledge required to perform at the highest professional level. The program is structured to benefit both the apprentice and the contractor, reducing workforce turnover, improving job site safety and delivering more capable, experienced professionals to ABA member companies.
“It’s been a long four years. My wife and I started with one, and now we have three (kids).,” said Austin McCain, ABA Apprenticeship Graduate and Phoenix resident. “It’s a better career, better opportunities, and, at my company, I’m able to move up now. So, it’s awesome and a really great opportunity.”
Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate and journey-level status, opening doors to career opportunities across Arizona and beyond. Through the ABA’s dual affiliation with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Associated General Contractors (AGC), graduates connect to a statewide network of more than 300 member companies, giving each career a foundation that extends well beyond the training center.
Registered Apprenticeships are the ultimate recruitment and retention tool for employers, workforce development intermediaries, education providers and employer associations. With a 93% retention rate nationally, these programs allow employers to grow their own talent, ensuring workers are trained to exact industry standards.
The ABA Apprenticeship Graduation reflects the organization’s broader mission to deliver education that powers today’s teams and tomorrow’s leaders. For nearly 85 years, the Arizona Apprenticeship Office has helped reduce costs and improve efficiency for Arizona businesses as they stand up education programs to build a skilled workforce that fuels Arizona’s thriving economy by training the next generation. As Arizona’s construction industry faces a growing workforce shortage, the ABA’s apprenticeship programs serve as a pipeline for skilled, career-ready professionals, ensuring that member companies have access to the talent needed to build Arizona’s future. Learn more at www.azbuilders.org
