Creating Better Futures for Students and Community Through the Innovative Collaboration of Education, Industry, and Government

Tracy Rexroat, James Mize, & Jeremy Schalk

This workshop presented an innovative model for connecting students with future employers in the community. The model presented is a partnership on many levels. It is a partnership between county and federal government agencies, school districts and manufacturing businesses in Pima County; and between all of these partners with the local colleges. Currently Pima County JTED District, Sunnyside Unified, Tanque Verde and Tucson Unified School Districts all participate with Pima Community College and Pima County One Stop to give students this exciting educational and career opportunity. There are approximately 25 local manufacturers who are in the partnership, who came together to solve a shortage in qualified workforce.

This same partnership would work as successfully with other areas of local business besides the precision manufacturing industry. This model was developed jointly to provide students with internships, potential for jobs after graduation and STEM proficiency in core curriculum areas such as mathematics.

How does it work?
Students are enrolled in the Precision Manufacturing JTED programs at both Desert View High School and Tucson High Magnet Schools (and newly being offered at Tanque Verde). Prior to graduation, they are provided tours of local manufacturing companies and job shadowing for an afternoon to get an up-close view to the industry.

After graduation, students apply for paid internships. Pima County One Stop pays them for the first four weeks during their summer after graduation. The industry partner then pays the student interns for the rest of the summer.  The students then enroll in Pima Community College in a program that has been guided by local industry leaders. Their tuition is paid through federal grants as they complete their industry certifications and training. Part-time employment is offered by the industry partner while they are in school.

Community Collaboration and sharing information between educators and industry is critical.
Education leaders tend to not like it when industry tells them they are not training them properly or sequencing the courses in the ways that best prepares them for employment in these fields. By switching courses around and following the guidance of industry leaders, it’s a win-win for educators, industry and students.

Benefits of this Program

·         Attainable dual college credit for students

·         Industry certifications for students.

·         College tuition support

·         Students received about a $7,000 package in internships, training.

·         High-skill-high wage career opportunities

·         Increased employability skills

·         Increase retention/graduation rates

·         Paid externships/internship

·         Data: 88.89 percent of THMS students Met/Exceeded on AIMS Math

80 percent of DVHS students met/Exceeded AIMS Math

·         Persistence rate: 100 percent of the 12-13 cohort of 12 students from the program who were placed in paid externships and college tuition support are still employed in the field and 95 percent are still in college.

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A video was presented for visualization of the program.  This video is available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVtGJ4S9SLQ&list=UUprPXAb09faj5x7sXfqS1qw&index=4

Jeremy Schalk, Hi-Tech Machining and Engineering, and SAMP, jeremy@hi-techmachining.net

Jim Mize, Pima County One-Stop, jim.mize@pima.gov

Tracy Rexroat, Arizona Department of Education, tracyrexroat@azed.gov

Kathy Prather, Sunnyside Unified School District, kathypr@susd12.org

Mary Veres
Sunnyside Unified School District