In a press conference at GateWay Community College on Thursday, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the creation of a new scholarship program for community college students in Arizona.

The Arizona Community College Workforce Scholarship Program is aimed at fostering a workforce of high demand, high paying jobs in Arizona. The goal is to give Arizonans an education in fields that need more skilled workers, helping to sustain the state's continued economic growth.

“We want to address the needs in high-wage, high-growth industries, such as healthcare, early education, construction, and advanced manufacturing, and I'm confident this new scholarship will help us get where we need to be,” Hobbs said.

The new program covers the following program areas:

• Advanced manufacturing, including semiconductors
• Health care
• IT/cyber security/broadband/data analytics
• Education and early education
• Construction/trades/HVAC
• Aerospace/defense
• Veterinary technology
• Dental hygienists and dental assistants
• Tractor trailer driving
• Insurance appraisers
• Paralegal and legal assistants

The program is projected to reach around nine to 10 thousand Arizonans. To be eligible for the program, Arizonans must have a 2.0 GPA or higher, be eligible for in-state tuition, be enrolled in one of the program areas listed, and must meet with their academic advisor to review their academic plan.

Many different community colleges will be participating in the program, including:

• Arizona Western College
• Central Arizona College
• Cochise College
• Coconino Community College
• Eastern Arizona College
• Maricopa Community Colleges
• Mohave Community College
• Northland Pioneer College
• Pima Community College
• Yavapai Community College

Initial funding for the program will start at $4.5 million, which will come from the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools federal funding program.

The program is a part of a string of new development programs introduced by Hobbs, including the Future48 Workforce Accelerators and the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative, both of which are aimed at higher education.

EDITOR'S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.