Across the United States, Career and Technical Education (CTE) offered in middle schools, high schools, community colleges and other postsecondary institutions is providing individuals with lifelong educational opportunities to learn skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
For middle school and high school students, CTE programs can become their pathway to higher education at a community college or state university. Community colleges offer one to two year programs that provide students with the academic and technical training needed to obtain a job, industry-recognized credentials, certificate of completion, or associate’s degree. Students are also prepared to continue at the university level where they can earn a bachelor’s or advanced degree.
CTE programs can strengthen the skills of the workforce through customized career training that is focused on emerging technologies. CTE, working in partnership with business and industry, can stimulate the growth and vitality of local, state and national economies.
Whether you are a high school student seeking out college educational opportunities, someone interested in returning to school to upgrade skills or change careers, or a business owner looking to help advance your business, Mesa Community College (MCC) offers a myriad of solutions.
MCC offers 32 CTE programs and over 150 Associate of Applied Science degrees and Certificates of Completion. Students learn from instructors who are experts in their field and each program has its own advisory board that includes members of the local business community. Their participation and input helps to ensure courses are relevant. Students are trained using the most current business/industry-based technologies to meet the needs of employers, making them competitive in the job market.
CTE programs offered at MCC include:
- Administration of Justice
- Agribusiness
- Architecture
- Audio Production Technologies
- Automotive Performance
- Biotechnology
- Business
- Computer Information Systems
- Construction
- Dental Hygiene
- Digital Arts
- Electrical-Mechanical Drafting
- Early Care and Education
- Electronics Technology
- Fashion Merchandising and Design
- Fire Science and EMT
- Food and Nutrition
- Geospatial Technologies
- Interior Design
- Journalism
- Library Information Technology
- Manufacturing Institute
- Mortuary Science
- Music Business
- Network Academy
- Nursing
- Real Estate
- Urban Horticulture
- Sustainability, Human Transformation of the Earth
- Veterinary Technology
- Welding
"Through experiential learning (industry field trips, studio projects and internships) our MCC Interior Design students are able to get a live education. Experiential and problem-based learning are powerful teaching tools used in career and technical education," explains Janice Pierson (ASID, LEED AP) Co-chair of Applied Sciences and Technology and Residential Faculty in Interior Design at MCC.
Mark Chandler, a MCC Interior Design graduate stated, "The education and mentoring I received at Mesa Community College has prepared me to face any challenge that lay ahead. Caring faculty and an exciting student environment have truly helped me reach my full potential."
MCC’s CTE programs also meet the emerging needs of business and industry in our region by partnering with local business and industry through the Center for Workforce and Community Partnerships. The Center offers innovative, customized solutions to help business and industry meet specific workforce needs as well as identify and pursue new economic opportunities.
For further information about CTE programs at MCC please go to http://www.mesacc.edu/its-all-at-mcc/career-technical-education.
Business or industry seeking information about the Center for Workforce and Community Partnerships may visit the Center on the web at http://www.mesacc.edu/community/center-workforce-community-partnerships.
About Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. MCC excels in teaching, learning and empowering its more than 40,000 students to succeed in a local and global community. Mesa Community College is one of ten colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District.
Please direct media inquiries to Angela Askey at angela.askey@mesacc.edu or Sally Mesarosh at sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu or the Office of Institutional Advancement at 480-461-7445. IA website: www.mesacc.edu/ia.
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