7 Ways Business and Education Can Strengthen Arizona's Workforce Together

By Dr. Scott Spurgeon, Superintendent, West-MEC

GLENDALE, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) students completed more than 266,860 hours of work-based learning and nearly 1,000 industry internships, gaining hands-on experience before entering the workforce.

Those experiences demonstrate what is possible when education and industry work together to prepare Arizona's future workforce.

As Arizona's economy evolves, employers need skilled professionals who understand their industries, can apply technical knowledge and are prepared for the expectations of the workplace. Meeting that demand requires meaningful connections between education and the industries our students will enter.

At West-MEC, those connections are central to career and technical education (CTE). Each year, we collaborate with more than 500 businesses that provide industry insight, serve on program advisory councils, offer work-based learning opportunities and engage directly with students and educators.

As that network has grown, we have recognized an opportunity to make it easier for businesses to understand how they can engage with West-MEC and deepen their involvement over time.

That is why we recently introduced our Partnership Opportunities Framework, a structured approach to connecting businesses with students, educators and programs.

The framework identifies 15 opportunities for organizations to engage with West-MEC, including seven core commitments that provide meaningful value to students and form the pathway to becoming a recognized West-MEC Strategic Partner.

The seven core commitments are serving on a program advisory council, providing internship opportunities, hosting a workplace tour, participating in teacher externships, conducting mock interviews, supporting Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and contributing to the West-MEC Alliance. Businesses can choose how and when to participate throughout the year, creating flexibility to engage in ways that align with their interests and availability. Organizations that complete all seven are recognized as a West-MEC Strategic Partner.

In recognition of their Strategic Partner status, these organizations receive meaningful benefits, including early access to student talent and resumes, hiring opportunities, increased visibility through joint marketing, invitations to West-MEC events, and opportunities to connect with businesses across West-MEC's network throughout the Valley.

This work is increasingly important as Arizona continues to grow in industries that require specialized skills and a strong talent pipeline. Education cannot prepare that workforce in isolation, and industry engagement cannot begin only after students graduate.

The Partnership Opportunities Framework gives businesses a clear way to get involved and, more importantly, a pathway to stay involved.

By strengthening the connection between education and industry, we can better prepare students for high-demand careers while building the skilled workforce Arizona will depend on for years to come.

To learn more about partnering with West-MEC, visit west-mec.org/partner.

Media Contact:
Dr. Scott Spurgeon
623-738-0000
[email protected]

SOURCE West-MEC