Guarantee Your Future with Freeport

A technical certification and job placement program with Freeport-McMoRan

Start your journey today – Program assignments begin Spring 2025!

Classes begin in August 2025.

Learn more about available programs and eligibility requirements below.
Application Deadline is January 31, 2025

APPLY TODAY

All educational and/or experiential backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Education Forward Arizona and Freeport-McMoRan are looking for adventurous individuals who are eager to start a skilled trade program for a new career and to explore possibilities you never knew existed in the mining industry. Apply for a scholarship program to earn a Certificate of Completion or an Associate of Applied Science degree in one of six critical technical areas. Individuals selected for this four-semester scholarship must be full-time students and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This scholarship will provide education, training, a paid summer internship and job placement with Freeport-McMoRan.

Summary of scholarship and additional benefits:

  • Tuition, Fees, Books, Supplies, Materials
  • Living Allowance to help with Food, Housing, Transportation
  • Paid Summer Internship
  • Success Coach from Education Forward Arizona
  • Mentor from Freeport-McMoRan

Choose one of the six technical areas that will lead to a great career.

The Guarantee Your Future with Freeport program is focused on the following six academic certifications offered at specific community colleges throughout Arizona to start August 2025. Applicants in Colorado and New Mexico, please check with your local community college for similar programs. This scholarship program is for a maximum of four-semesters to earn either a Certificate of Completion (CCL) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

Skilled Trade Program Career Description Arizona Community College
Diesel Technician Diesel Mechanic – Highly skilled mechanic who safely performs diagnostic, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment such as, but not limited to: Haul Trucks, Water Trucks, Rubber Tire and Track Dozers, Front-end Loaders, and Motor Graders. Central Arizona College
Yavapai College
Industrial Electrical Electrician – Skilled worker in the electrical/instrumentation field whose duties include, but are not limited to the removal, repair, and installation of electrical components and basic to intermediate troubleshooting. Arizona Western College
Coconino Community College
Eastern Arizona College
Mohave Community College
Northland Pioneer College
Pima Community College
Yavapai College
Process Control/Instrumentation Technology Instrumentation – – Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the removal, repair, installation, troubleshooting, & diagnosis of process instrumentation & electrical systems. Central Arizona College
Coconino Community College
Eastern Arizona College
Mesa Community College
Northland Pioneer College
Pima Community CollegeYavapai College
Fixed Plant Maintenance/Advanced Manufacturing Fixed Plant – Highly skilled mechanic who safely performs components of diagnostic, maintenance, installation, replacement and repair of fixed plant operational equipment and related systems, including jaw and gyratory crushers, vibratory screens, conveyors, dust suppression/collection systems mobile conveying systems, pump, pit dewatering, hydraulic systems, etc. Eastern Arizona College
Northland Pioneer College
Yavapai College
Heavy Equipment Operations Equipment Operator – Performs duties related to the operation of heavy equipment (haul trucks, water trucks, rubber tire dozers, track dozers, excavators, motor graders, front-end loaders, etc.) in support of production including dewatering, materials delivery, maintaining berms, and surface maintenance at a skilled level. Central Arizona College
Welder Welder – Performs duties related to assembly, maintenance, and repair of boilers, pressure vessels, tanks and vats by performing a variety of complex welding processes such as electric resistance, oxy acetylene or arc torches. Arizona Western College
Central Arizona College
Eastern Arizona College
Mesa Community College
Mohave Community College
Northland Pioneer College
Pima Community College
Yavapai College

Unlock your future today!

Apply Now

Application deadline is January 31, 2025.

Who is Freeport-McMoRan?

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is a leading international metals company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company operates large, long-lived geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. The portfolio of assets includes mineral districts in Indonesia, North America and South America.

There are nine operational mining sites in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The operational sites in rural Arizona are in the towns of Bagdad, Miami, Morenci, Safford, and Sahuarita/Green Valley. The operational sites in Colorado are in Clear Creek and Grand Counties, and the sites in New Mexico are in Grant County.

These rural towns are where neighbors look out for neighbors, have lower crime rates, and entertainment is rooted in beautiful outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. Community and a strong sense of belonging are significant aspects of rural living which can lead to supportive relationships, increased social interactions, and a greater feeling of security. Communities often come together for various events and festivals, creating a rich cultural tapestry that residents can actively participate in and enjoy.

Why Choose to Work for Freeport-McMoRan?

Careers at Freeport-McMoRan offer competitive pay, full health benefits on the first day, 401(k) matching for your future retirement, paid time off, health and wellness programs, and annual bonuses based on performance.

Freeport-McMoRan believes their greatest strength is their team. They strive for, promote, and foster a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, is treated with respect and opinions are valued. Freeport-McMoRan’s inclusive work environment gives everyone the confidence to speak up, share ideas that drive innovation and achieve operational excellence. Their inclusion and diversity principles align with the core values of safety, respect, integrity, excellence, and commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freeport-McMoRan’s commitment in this program?

Freeport-McMoRan is committed to supporting individuals who are interested in learning in-demand skills for a career with an international company. This program will support students with a full scholarship at a designated community college in Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico. This scholarship will assist in covering all education expenses such as Tuition, Fees, Books, Supplies, and Materials as well as a stipend to be used for Food, Housing, Transportation, and other Personal Expenses. This is known as the “Direct and Indirect Cost of Attendance” to complete an academic program and is determined by each college for each student.

To round out your educational experience, you will also be placed in a paid internship in the Summer and receive a mentor from Freeport-McMoRan.

Education Forward Arizona is committed to your success and will also provide you with a Success Coach to be your guide along the way.

What is your commitment?

The ideal candidate for this unique program is someone who is interested in learning new in-demand skills and is willing to go to school at a designated community college in Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico. These new skills will lead to a strong career and the potential for growth with a large international mining company.
Students selected for this opportunity will choose one of the six certificate programs offered at the identified community college in Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico. Students commit to successfully completing the certificate as a fulltime student within two to four academic semesters.

All participants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) upon notification of being accepted in the program. Education Forward Arizona can assist with completing the FAFSA Application.
Students commit to meet with their assigned Success Coach from Education Forward Arizona at regularly scheduled times.
Students commit to meeting with their Freeport-McMoRan mentor and completing a paid Summer Internship at a location identified by Freeport-McMoRan.

All students who complete the requirements and pass pre-employment screening will be offered a position for permanent employment. Students commit to work a minimum of three years for Freeport-McMoRan at a location in Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico.

• You must pass the Drug Test to accept a paid Summer Internship or future employment.
• You must pass a criminal background check.

What you bring to the program

The ideal candidate for this unique program is someone who is interested in learning new in-demand skills and is willing to go to school at a designated community college in Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico. These new skills will lead to a strong career and the potential for growth with a large international mining company.

The locations of the mining operations are in rural communities where neighbors look out for neighbors, there are low crime rates, and entertainment is rooted in the beautiful outdoor activities that Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico are known for such as hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. Community and a strong sense of belonging are significant aspects of rural living which can lead to supportive relationships, increased social interactions, and a greater feeling of security. Communities often come together for various events and festivals, creating a rich cultural tapestry that residents can actively participate in and enjoy.

Who is eligible to apply and participate?
  • You must be 18 years of age or older at time of employment with Freeport-McMoRan.
  • U.S. resident.
  • Eligible and willing to enroll in one of the approved programs at a designated community college in Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico and start classes in August 2025.
  • You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
  • You must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
  • Able and willing to participate in a paid internship at a designated operational mine.
  • Able and willing to accept a job placement with Freeport-McMoRan at the completion of the training.
  • A medical examination, drug screen and background check will be administered prior to employment
What are the next steps after I apply?

For Additional Information…

Please contact Michelle Alcantar, Director of Workforce Development at Education Forward Arizona: malcantar@educationforwardarizona.org or 480-536-6269