The City of Chandler has long recognized that unexpected company downsizing, or closures can create difficult challenges not only for affected employees, but for local businesses, families and the broader community. That’s why Chandler has taken a proactive approach to workforce development, ensuring support systems are in place before these disruptions occur.
At the center of this effort is the Chandler Career Center, launched in 2024 as a forward-thinking resource designed to connect residents with job opportunities, training and career support. This first-of-its-kind workforce platform, accessible at Chandler Career Center, features a searchable database of Chandler-based jobs, career pathways and upskilling programs. To further meet the needs of residents, Chandler’s Economic Development team creates job blogs tailored to specific skillsets, making it easier for displaced workers in industries such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering to quickly find relevant local opportunities.
Chandler’s proactive plan ensures that when companies file Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Letters, the city can act immediately. In collaboration with Arizona@Work, Maricopa County workforce specialists and company human resource teams, Chandler coordinates information sessions, develops job blogs and connects employees to tools and training for their next step.
Recent examples demonstrate this readiness in action. When Intel announced workforce reductions, Chandler partnered with state and county organizations to provide direct resources to employees, including a job blog and the Chandler Career Center. When Northrop Grumman experienced layoffs, the city quickly created an aerospace and defense job blog, guiding workers to local companies eager for their expertise. And when the GM Innovation Center closed, Chandler facilitated a jobs blog and job fair with East Valley Chambers of Commerce and Communities.
Beyond rapid response, the city’s workforce programs offer ongoing support for all Chandler residents. Each Monday, job seekers can visit the Downtown Chandler Library Job Center for in-person help with résumés, interview preparation, unemployment guidance and direct connections to local employers.
Chandler’s proactive stance reflects the city’s broader legacy of careful planning and financial stewardship. Just as Chandler has earned national recognition for fiscal responsibility, the same forward-looking approach is applied to workforce development: anticipating challenges, building resilient systems and ensuring that residents are supported during times of change.
Partnerships play a key role. By working with Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler Unified School District, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Grand Canyon University and major employers, the city aligns workforce training with industry needs. From transferable skills workshops to advanced manufacturing expos, Chandler invests in long-term opportunities while preparing for short-term disruptions.
Layoffs are never easy, but Chandler’s message is clear: no company and no resident should face these challenges alone. Through proactive planning and the Chandler Career Center, the city has built a framework that not only responds to immediate needs, but also strengthens the community’s resilience for the future.
To learn more, visit Chandler Career Center or stop by the Downtown Chandler Library Job Center. Chandler is committed to ensuring that when change comes, opportunity is never far behind.