Employment & Training Programs

The Navajo Nation is committed to providing an environment where residents can continue to enhance their skills and education and improve the quality of the overall Navajo Nation workforce. As a result, there are a number of programs and opportunities available:

Job Training Partnership ACT (JTPA)
JTPA is a federal employment and training program to prepare youth and adults facing barriers to employment by providing job training and career services.


Job Opportunity Basic Skills (JOBS)
JOBS provides AFDC recipients the opportunity to participate in job training, work, and education related activities that lead to economic self-sufficiency. Also provides support services such as transportation and child care.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Native American
  • Resident of Navajo Service Delivery Area (meet one or more of the following criteria for various programs)
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Economically disadvantaged (low income)
  • Laid-off (III EDWAA)
  • Hard-to-serve Individuals (basic skill deficient, school dropouts, welfare recipients, offenders, disability and homeless)

Programs Available:

  • Classroom Training (CRT)
  • Community Service Employment (CSE)
  • On-The-Job Training (OJT)
  • Youth Tryout Employment (YTOE)
  • Work Experience (WEX)
  • Economic Dislocated Workers Adjustment Act (EDWAA)
  • 5% Older Individuals
  • Basic Education
  • Customized Training Specific
  • Summer Youth Employment and Training Program (SYETP)
Note: The costs are for a hypothetical aerospace industry manufacturing plant in its third year of operation, based on current wage rates and fringe benefits. The plant employs 525 hourly workers and assumes 1,904 hours worked per year per employee, based on 12 paid holidays and a two-week vacation. Electricity costs are based on monthly demand of 1,000 kw and 400,000 kwh consumption. Navajo Nation costs are based on one manufacturing plant on the reservation. See utility sheet rates from the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority.

Source: The Boyd Company Inc. Albuquerque Journal, Sunday, February 14, 1993, The Navajo, Division of Economic Development, Support Services Department 1993 Wages Survey, (1) Electronic Tester, (2) Standard Tester, (3) Staff Assistant.

For more information, contact:

Navajo Department of Workforce Development
PO Box 1889
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Phone: (928) 871-7707