Freeport McMoran

Freeport, Education Forward Arizona Launch Workforce Initiative

June 10, 2024

Freeport-McMoRan has joined forces with Education Forward Arizona to engage potential future members of its workforce through a new scholarship and job placement initiative.

The Guarantee Your Future with Freeport program will support 25 students and provide education, training, a paid summer internship, and job placement in one of six critical technical areas. Students will earn a certificate or credential from a designated community college in Arizona. 

When chosen, participants in this new workforce development program will begin classes in August 2024 to earn a certification in one of the following areas vital to the mining industry: 

-Diesel technician
-Industrial electrical
-Process control/instrumentation technology
-Fixed plant maintenance/advanced manufacturing
-Heavy equipment operations
-Welder

“At Freeport-McMoRan, we recognize the challenges created by the ongoing workforce shortage across many industries, including our own, and we are committed to finding innovative solutions to address the gap,” said Tracy Bame, President of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Director of Social Responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan. 

Various costs covered

The scholarship will cover education expenses (tuition, fees, books, etc.) and assist with other cost of attendance expenses (food, housing, transportation, etc.). Upon satisfying program and employment requirements, participants will be offered a full-time position at one of Freeport-McMoRan’s nine copper and molybdenum mining operations in Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico having committed to work for the company for three years. 

The program is open to anyone – including friends and family of Freeport employees – interested in learning new in-demand skills for well-paid jobs who are willing to go to school at one of the designated community colleges in Arizona. 

Participants must be 18 years or older at time of employment with Freeport-McMoRan. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 21. 

To help ensure student success, each scholarship recipient will be paired with an Education Forward Arizona Success Coach, as well as a mentor from Freeport-McMoRan. Training will continue during a paid summer internship where participants will get real-world experience in the industry.

“This initiative is a testament to Freeport-McMoRan's commitment to fostering economic growth and opportunity in Arizona and beyond,” said Rich Nickel, President and CEO at Education Forward Arizona. “We are proud to partner with a company that prioritizes scholarships for students in need, workforce development and the value of investing in education.”

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