Application Deadline is March 15, 2026
Feb. 23, 2026 – Education Forward Arizona and Freeport-McMoRan are proud to continue the Guarantee Your Future with Freeport program, a unique career pathway initiative designed to connect Arizonans directly to high-demand, high-skill careers in the mining industry.
Now entering its third year, the program provides at least 30 participants with full scholarship support to earn an A.A.S. Degree and industry certification through designated community colleges in Arizona. In addition to covering tuition, fees and books, the scholarship assists with cost-of-attendance expenses such as housing, food and transportation.
Participants receive hands-on training and education in one of five critical technical fields:
Priority technical fields:
- Diesel technician
- Fixed plant maintenance and/or Advanced manufacturing
Additional in-demand fields:
- Electrical and instrumentation
- Process automation
- Welding
In addition to classroom instruction, students participate in a paid summer internship with Freeport-McMoRan, gaining real-world experience and exposure to career opportunities across the company’s operations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico or Texas. Participants who successfully complete both the scholarship program and internship may be eligible for job placement, provided all hiring requirements are met.
To help ensure student success, each participant is paired with an Education Forward Arizona Success coach and a Freeport-McMoRan mentor, creating a strong support system from enrollment through employment.
“Guarantee Your Future with Freeport represents the kind of bold, employer-driven partnership Arizona needs,” said Tracy Bame, President of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Director of Social Responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan. “Alongside Education Forward Arizona, we are investing in local talent, building a skilled workforce and creating clear pathways to meaningful, high-paying careers that strengthen families and communities.”
The program reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Arizona’s education-to-workforce pipeline at a time when the state must increase postsecondary attainment to meet workforce demands and drive economic growth.
“This initiative brings education and industry together in a powerful way,” said Rich Nickel, President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “By aligning training with real workforce needs and providing comprehensive support along the way, we are helping more Arizonans gain the skills and credentials required to thrive in today’s economy. Partnerships like this are essential to achieving our state’s attainment goals and ensuring Arizona remains competitive.”
Guarantee Your Future with Freeport builds on the longstanding partnership between Education Forward Arizona and Freeport-McMoRan, including the Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship Program. Together, these efforts reflect a sustained commitment to expanding access to postsecondary education and career training for Arizona students.
Participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of employment with Freeport-McMoRan. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 15, 2026. To learn more or apply, visit educationforwardarizona.org/futurewithfreeport.
About Education Forward Arizona
Education Forward Arizona is a statewide advocacy organization advancing education and training as pathways to economic opportunity, a highly-skilled workforce, and a stronger Arizona. Working directly and in partnership with education, business and civic leaders, Education Forward Arizona helps drive progress toward the Achieve60AZ attainment goal.
This includes advocating for policies, funding, and cross-sector strategies that strengthen Arizona’s economy and support progress for communities statewide. Its work spans the education continuum—from early learning through postsecondary education and workforce training—and includes scholarships and mentoring that help Arizonans gain the skills and credentials needed to thrive.
Education and training can be transformative for individuals and for Arizona’s future. By increasing access to certificates and degrees, Arizona can expand economic mobility, meet workforce demand, and build long-term prosperity.
Learn more at EducationForwardArizona.org.
About Freeport-McMoRan
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is a leading international metals company with the objective of being foremost in copper. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. The company’s portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits; and significant mining operations in North America (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico) and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru. Freeport-McMoRan collaborates with communities, governments, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to maximize the benefits of mining and contribute to community well-being and resilience, including Native American communities near the company’s operations or those with historical cultural affiliation to lands on which the company operates. Learn more at: Freeport-McMoRan.
###