INDUSTRY INSTITUTES SUPPORT CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS FOR REGIONAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

The Pima JTED Foundation has wrapped up two successful Industry Institutes forging direct connections between local industry leaders and the instructors that teach the skills they hire for. Together, the Mining Institute May 27-29 and the Optics, Photonics, and Semiconductor Institute June 9-11, brought 35 instructors from 10 of the 14 JTED member districts together to learn about some of the sectors that underpin our regional economy. Instructors represented a variety of high school career and technical education programs that deliver training directly relevant to industry partners including construction, welding, machining, programming, automotive, and more. The JTED Foundation funds and organizes these institutes as part of its mission to strengthen technical education across the JTED district.

The Mining Institute, developed in partnership with the Arizona Mining Association, allowed participants to tour South 32, CalPortland, and the UA San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory. They were given direct access to leadership panels discussing the needs of the industry and their workforce. “I’m here for the industry contacts,” said David Williams, an automotive instructor from Marana High School. “I need guest speakers. I need to know where students can apply when they finish with me.” Other teachers were blown away by the breadth of opportunity within mining. Jacksubeli Gonzalez teaches Digital Communication and Graphic Design at Baboquivari High School. “I didn’t realize how important visual storytelling and communication are within the industry. My students could have a future in mining.”

At the Optics, Photonics, and Semiconductor Institute, participants toured Edmund Optics, Leonardo Electronics, and the UA Micro Nano Fabrication Center. Additionally, representatives from NXP, Spark Photonics, and AmeriCOM were able to offer resources and tools to help instructors translate the needs of the industry to a K12 audience. Mario Barragán, a Counselor over engineering and automation programs at JTED Innovative Learning Center, said “I could not have explained these jobs before, but now I know what the work is, what they’re looking for. Now I can look for the students that would thrive there, and point them in the right direction.”

This is the second summer that the JTED Foundation has been able to support Industry Institutes. After the events, participating teachers report a significant shift in their understanding of the industries being highlighted. They have also reported a dramatically higher comfort level in teaching about the industries and the opportunities they offer for local careers.

The Southwest Center for Optics and Photonics helped organize and fund the Optics Institute. “People think Optics is about eyeglasses, but it’s really about lasers, light, and lenses, and Tucson is a national hub for the industry. There is a misconception that Semiconductor does not have a footprint in Tucson, but it does,” said Dan McCormick with the Center. “We need to get the word out that we’re here, we’re growing, and we’re hiring.”

The Pima JTED Foundation supports CTE students, teachers, and programs across the JTED District beyond what the district itself can provide. Pima JTED is a public school district that partners with business, industry and member school districts to provide high school students with rigorous, hands-on Career and Technical Education pathways to high-demand careers. Its award-winning programs serve over 30,000 students across Pima, Santa Cruz, and Pinal counties helping them earn state licenses and industry certifications that lead to immediate employment and long-term college success.