PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 27, 2026) - Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), Arizona’s premier trade association for contractors, partnered with Arcoro, a time tracking, payroll and HR software company built for the construction industry, to give two electrical apprentices $2,500 scholarships. The construction partners presented the scholarships to Charles Magana and Aidette Camacho Peraza on October 22 during the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America’s Construction Workforce & HR Conference 2026 in Phoenix.
The Arcoro Scholarship marks the first time Arcoro and ABA have partnered to invest directly in Arizona’s next generation of construction professionals. The companies selected these specific recipients from the ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program for their hard work and dedication.
Industry Leaders Invest in Arizona’s Next Generation
“Presenting these checks to two deserving electrical apprentices reflects ABA’s commitment to build Arizona’s construction workforce,” said Kim Davids, President, Arizona Builders Alliance. “Our apprentices get on-the-job training with member companies while also receiving classroom instruction, supporting the most direct path to closing Arizona’s construction workforce gap.”
“The ABA’s registered apprenticeship program is a four year commitment to building their career and if we can help remove a little bit of the financial burden, and help them invest in their future, we think it’s going to make a difference in their progression,” said Dave Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Arcoro.”People with these skillsets are in great need in our country and so we’re excited to be able to support that. We’re excited to support people at this early stage in their career and be an active participant in an industry we think is vital to our economy.”
About the ABA Electrical Apprenticeship Program
Arizona’s construction industry needs more than 40,000 professionals to ease the workforce shortage, making investments in apprenticeship education critical for the industry’s future. The ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program provides a four-year, registered apprenticeship that pairs on-the-job training with member companies with structured classroom instruction. To better serve its growing apprentice community, the ABA recently expanded into a new, larger classroom facility at SkySong, giving students a modern, collaborative learning environment designed to support their development and career advancement.
Arizona Apprentices on What the Scholarship Means
“I feel like the ABA is jet fuel, it is projecting me to where my career might be,“ said Charles Magana, ABA/ Arcoro Scholarship recipient, father to three, and third year apprentice with Echo Canyon Electric. “Each teacher at the ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program has something different to bring to the table, and then I get another semester in and my teachers are introducing me to something and maybe I want to be an inspector, or do estimating, or be a foreman, it keeps revealing more. I’m beyond grateful for the ABA and the whole experience.”
“I honestly didn’t think I was going to win it,” said Aidette Camacho Peraza, ABA/ Arcoro Scholarship recipient and first year apprentice who is working with Kearney Electric. “I’m really happy that I did, I’m excited. I get to start actually getting the stuff I need. There’s a couple of extra tools, coursework, materials and clothes I need to buy, I’ll be able to actually be ready for what I need to do.”
Supporting Arizona’s Construction Pipeline
The Arcoro Scholarship breakfast took place during the AGC’s three-day Construction Workforce & HR Conference 2026, held Oct. 21-23 in Phoenix. The conference brings together HR and workforce leaders across construction sectors to share practical strategies, real-world case studies, and peer connections.
The scholarship builds on the existing partnership between Arcoro and ABA through the ABA HR Council. This first-year initiative reflects their shared commitment to grow a stronger and sustainable construction pipeline. Contractors and construction professionals interested in enrolling in the ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program or learning more about classes at the new SkySong facility can visit https://azbuilders.org/.
About Arizona Builders Alliance
The ABA is the top trade association for contractors in Arizona that exists to make its hundreds of member companies and the construction industry more prosperous through education, networking, business development, and advocacy on the state and federal level. The ABA is an alliance of the Associated Builders & Contractors and the Associated General Contractors of America - Building Chapter. For over 30 years, the ABA is proud to service the construction industry through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities in the state of Arizona. To learn more, visit us at www.azbuilders.org or call us at (602) 274-8222.
About Arcoro
Arcoro is time tracking, payroll and HR software company built for the construction industry. Arcoro’s solutions help construction companies manage their unique workforce needs, offering the most ERP integrations of any HR software provider. Backed by best-in-class customer support, more than 7,000 companies rely on Arcoro to save time, improve accuracy, reduce risk, and lower workforce costs.
Arcoro has earned multiple G2 badges recognizing customer satisfaction, including Highest User Adoption, Easiest Admin, and High Performer. Arcoro has also been named to the Construction Executive Top 50 Construction Technology Firms and Top Tech lists for six consecutive years, affirming its role as a foundational technology partner for the construction industry.
Learn how Arcoro can improve your people processes at arcoro.com.
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