|
Quick Links
Friend Us
|
|
|
 |
Pima Community College Cuts Red Tape Surrounding Dual Enrollment
|
 Pima County JTED students have always been able to earn Pima Community College (PCC) credits through dual enrollment, but being able to award that credit was a long, complicated process that required students, instructors and administrators to clear numerous hurdles. After a meeting with JTED administrators and school district Career and Technical Education directors, Chancellor Lee Lambert and his team quickly fixed that, clearing the way for more JTED students to earn dual credit through the colleges' occupational programs.
"Chancellor Lambert brought all of the PCC campus presidents to the table, and it was clear that his priority is to listen and help more students successfully enter college and skilled careers," says JTED Superintendent/CEO Alan L. Storm, Ph.D. "This was a big and welcomed step. It's the first time in decades Pima Community College has sat down to work with with those of us in K-12."
Effective this semester, high school students can take the ACCUPLACER assessment at their school instead of travelling to a PCC campus for the COMPASS test. Moreover, instead of completing all three assessments (reading, writing and math), students now only need the assessment and passing score required for the course or pre-requisite.
The changes reflect a renewed student-centric approach, according to Sunnyside District Career and Technical Education Director Kathy Prather.
"With a smoother articulation process from high school to community college, our local community will benefit from increased numbers of young adults better prepared to enter our skilled workforce and/or transition on to a university," she says.
There have also been changes to the Dual Enrollment class composition requirements, now providing more flexibility for high school instructors than in the past.
The deadline for CTE Directors to submit requests to JTED's Dual Enrollment Contact for the fall semester is April 15, 2014. Click here for the campus service area map.
|
|
Fire Service Alumni Respond to Call for Paramedic Apprenticeships
|
The Arivaca Fire District is looking to dispatch seven JTED Fire Service alumni into paid paramedic apprenticeships.
The District is recruiting students who successfully completed the JTED Fire Service program who are at least 18 years old and have a valid Arizona driver's license.
"It's a great example of our business-to-school partnerships," says JTED Fire Service Chief Robert DiPietro. "Arivaca has a need to fill. JTED has the work-ready students to fill it."
Arivaca Fire Chief Scott Van Boerum, a former JTED instructor, will lead the 104-week apprenticeship program. He says students will also be given the opportunity to continue with the district after the apprenticeship ends.
For more information, contact Chief Van Boerum at firechief@arivacafiredistrict.org, or call (520) 333-6940.
|
| A Room with a View Helps Teacher Recruit with Precision |
JTED  @ Tanque Verde Instructor John Puiia uses a class that has nothing to do with Career and Technical Education (CTE), to promote CTE.
As emerging technologies continue to shape the manufacturing industry, companies face an immediate demand for skilled precision manufacturing workers. Unfortunately, fewer students are being exposed to these opportunities due to severe legislative budget cuts eliminating JTED freshman funding.
That's why Puiia jumped at the chance to teach Freshman Foundations - a class for 9th graders on how to transition into high school.
The catch? He purposely teaches it in the classroom where his JTED Precision Manufacturing students meet - complete with a shop, equipment, instruction materials, etc. Then, he intentionally leaves class notes on the board and what the Manufacturing students did that day to pique the freshmen's curiosity.
"I will do everything I can to fill these seats," says Puiia. "It gets freshman into the class and they see the shop. Given my numbers, it looks like my scheme is working."
Puiia's Precision Manufacturing enrollment has doubled from last year, and he expects it to double again next year. Without freshman being exposed to the Precision Manufacturing environment, he doubts they would even know who he is, or what the CTE class is about.
For more about other JTED CTE programs, please visit our website.
|
| Will Cook for Scholarships |
 Without a scholarship and a paid internship, Luis Magallon's dreams of continuing his culinary arts education and having his own restaurant someday could have been fried.
"It would be really tough for me," says the JTED @ Mountain View Culinary Arts student. "I would have to be finding a way to pay for it myself."
That's why Luis felt "pure joy" (as he puts it) when recently awarded a $2,000 Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) scholarship and a paid internship at Canyon Ranch. Now, he can attend Pima Community College's Culinary Arts Program after high school.
Classmate Morgan Goss received a total of $3,150 in scholarship money to attend the Classic Cooking Academy in Scottsdale. She also earned an internship at Agustin Kitchen working for Tucson Iron Chef Ryan Clark.
C-CAP works with public schools to prepare underserved high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. The nonprofit has the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the U.S.
|
|
| Project SEARCH Putting Alumni to Work in Record Numbers |
 JTED Project SEARCH alumnus Ryan Chambers has an impressive "To Do" list - primarily because he gets it done.
"I've accomplished my goal, I got a job," says Chambers, who works in food service at the University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus (UAMC-SC). "I like working, earning money and trying to live independently. That's next on my list."
Project SEARCH is a national program uniting employers, educators and vocational leaders to help young adults with disabilities train and find meaningful work. Students complete on-site internships prior to graduation and employment. About 75% of JTED's SEARCH graduates find jobs, well over the national average of 35% for employees with special needs.
"I would highly recommend this program to other employers in the community," says UAMC-SC Chief Operating Officer Sarah Frost. "These students come in early and are ready to tackle their day. Their enthusiasm and optimism is contagious."
But, careers aren't the only thing Project SEARCH is building, it also fosters  confidence. Just ask Roger and Robin Blumenthal. They hardly recognize their daughter, Kaitlyn, anymore after she completed the program.
"She'll breeze through on her way out the door saying, See ya'. Going out for coffee with friends," explains Roger. "She never used to do that. We've seen her grow in her abilities to do things and take initiative."
A once-shy young woman, Kaitlyn is a Supply Technician at UAMC-SC. She's been on the job less than a year, and is already a trainer for new Project SEARCH interns.
For more information, contact Project SEARCH Instructors Brande Kitzberger or Dan Habinek.
|
| JTED in the News... |
 Good news for emerging JTED Programs - Tucson, the new 'Silicon Valley' of mining technology. Read more in Inside Tucson Business. |
| Save the Date |
 Pima County JTEDProgram Completion Ceremony
Friday, May 23, 2014
6:30 p.m.
UA Centennial Hall
1020 E. University Blvd.
|
|
| If you have a story idea, comments or suggestions for The Way to Work, please contact Greg D'Anna, Director of Public Relations.
Sincerely,
Greg D'Anna,
Editor, The Way to Work
Ann Powers
Writer, The Way to Work |
|
|
