Raytheon Missiles and Defense is sponsoring the Event Center at Pima JTED’s flagship campus, The JTED Innovative Learning Center @ The Bridges, with a $100,000 grant. The two story, 48,000 square-foot campus, which opened in the fall of 2020, is located at 3300 S. Park Avenue. Located on the ground floor, the nearly 4,000 square foot Raytheon Event Center is a central hub for student dining, JTED Governing Board meetings, and will be open to community events. As a part of the agreement, Raytheon is working to install a high-tech display in the Event Center to inspire students to pursue a variety of STEM careers.

raytheon logo

Raytheon Missiles & Defense is involved as part of its broader commitment to foster the next-generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. The company invests hundreds of thousands of dollars annually into numerous statewide education programs that cultivate the skills, diverse thinking and leadership abilities that lead to rewarding careers for our future innovators here in Arizona.

Pima JTED Superintendent and CEO Kathy Prather said, “Thanks to strong business partnerships, like the one we enjoy with Raytheon, Career and Technical Education changes the lives of students and plays a significant role in driving our economy. We are grateful for Raytheon’s generous gift and their employee volunteers who continue to mentor our students to be innovators, inspire them to lead, and guide them to meaningful careers that have a positive effect on the world.”

In addition to housing Tucson Unified School District’s Innovation Tech High School, the JTED @ The Bridges campus is home to a dozen Career and Technical Education programs which are free and open to all high school students regardless of school choice. Programs include:

  • 3D Animation/Virtual Reality & Game Design
  • Air Transportation/FAA Drone Operator
  • Automation/Robotics/Logistics and Optics
  • Business Start-Up/Entrepreneurship
  • Comprehensive Health Care Technician
  • Culinary and Nutritional Arts/Restaurant Management
  • Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
  • Engineering, Aerospace and Mining Technology
  • Health Care Foundations
  • Licensed Nursing Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Registered Medical Assistant

A dedication of the Raytheon Event Center and an open house to showcase the JTED @ The Bridges campus are being planned for this fall.

Pima JTED is a public Career and Technical Education District that works closely with local businesses and industry to afford high school age students an opportunity to earn industry certifications and state licenses which lead to direct employment, and in many instances, earn dual college credit. Approved by voters in 2006, JTED has served more than 100,000 students. Each year, each class of alumni contributes an estimated $34 million to our local economy. JTED currently offers 65 Career and Technical Education programs at 15 Central Campuses and at 38 public high schools located throughout Pima County, San Manuel, Rio Rico, and Nogales. To learn more, visit pimajted.org