The Pima County JTED Governing Board recently approved helping Medical Assistant students to acquire their National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification. The District plans to use state funds that the Arizona Legislature recently appropriated for JTED certifications to pay for students' testing and preparation materials.

Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Caregivers, and MAs must pass a certification exam after finishing an approved training program. JTED qualifies as a recognized NHA (Medical Assistant), Arizona State Board of Nursing (CNA), and NCIA/ALFM (Certified Caregiver) testing site.

JTED Nursing Services Program Manger Beth Francis, RN, MS, says the payments will make it easier for many students to achieve their career goals. All three programs lead to direct employment, and are also instrumental in helping students start on a career pathway. 

This is not only good news for students: A recent USA Today article The New Nursing Shortage, states that while the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 19 percent growth in employment for registered nurses from 2012-2022, there is a nurse shortage worldwide.

Certification fees are $149, and $56 for review materials for MA students. The CNA exam is $113, and the Certified Caregiver exam is $80. Testing is provided at JTED Central Campuses. 

A partnerhsip between the Pima County JTED and the UA Eller College of Management is working well for aspiring entrepreneurs, CEOs, and marketing directors, as well as educators, employers and future JTED students.

Kim Marchesseault's student teams in the Eller College's Social Responsibility (CSR) Consulting Project are creating, implementing, and analyzing surveys to help JTED understand the needs of its various stakeholders.

After the first survey results were in from middle school and high school students, counselors, and business owners, the undergrads presented their findings to JTED administrators and local school district Career and Technical Education Directors.  

JTED Superintendent/CEO Alan L. Storm, Ph.D., says the teams provided valuable insights that will help guide the District as it develops, expands, and markets new programs in the near future. 

"When I talk to people about the sophisticated equipment students are using and the impressive independent research they're conducting - their jaws drop," says Margaret Wilch, JTED biotechnology teacher at Tucson Magnet High School.

For information on the ten schools that are collaborative partners and other details, visit the UA BIOTECH website page.

Esmeralda Carrasco has made quite a name for herself at Cutting Class JTED Academy of Cosmetology, and now she's on her way to compete nationally after securing a gold medal at the state SkillsUSA competition in the Prepared Speech category.  

Esmeralda 'wowed' the judges and earned a perfect score. She also impressed a few recruiters who encouraged her to apply at their salons.

Esmeralda has been the JTED @ Master Pieces SkillsUSA president for two years, and is a National Technical Honor Society member. Following graduation, she plans on attending the UA and hopes to become a salon owner. The Skills USA National Competition is June 23 in Kansas City, Mo.

Gabrielle Oase is a University of Arizona sophomore studying studio art and photography. A friend of hers, a JTED Culinary Arts alum, told her about Cutting Class JTED Academy of Cosmetology. In the spirit of artistic collaboration, Oase asked the aspiring cosmetologists in Kathy Asman's class for assistance with a photography assignment.

"I wanted to bring other artists into my work and share it," she says.

After a couple of team meetings, JTED's future professionals styled the models' hair and make-up according to Oase's vision for her photos, and Oase also did a little recruiting.

"I'd like to own my own portrait studio someday," explains Oase. "After these students graduate, maybe I could hire them to do hair and make-up for my portrait clients."