These programs don’t just learn to trade. They are to build a future.
As industries adapted to change the demands of new technologies and labor, building a pipeline of skilled professionals has become crucial for business success and economic resilience. One of the most important but often overlooked elements of this development is Career and Technical Education (CTE). The CTE program provides the specialized training needed to build a strong workforce, allowing businesses in Northern Arizona to access skilled professionals in the high-demand industry.
CCC’s CTE program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in what is known as the H-3 industry. These programs don’t just learn to trade. They are to build a future. Graduates of CTE programs are often in careers that offer competitive wages, stability and growth opportunities. Importantly, these careers allow graduates to stay in northern Arizona, serving the community they call home rather than being forced to seek opportunities elsewhere.
For employers, a robust CTE system is transformed into a workforce that is trained, adaptable and ready to meet industry needs. Skilled trade shortages have been a continuing challenge in northern Arizona. CTE alumni provide local businesses with the talent they need to stay competitive while reducing the need for recruitment from outside the region.
Consider the Allied medical professionals – nurses, surgical technicians, radiation technicians, and respiratory therapists – essential to the well-being of our community. Many of these individuals are trained at community colleges before entering into important roles in hospitals and clinics. With the aging population in northern Arizona, the demand for healthcare workers is only continuing to grow, and workforce training is more important than ever. This growing need underscores the important role of workforce training to ensure that communities have access to qualified healthcare professionals both now and in the future.
Beyond healthcare, areas such as construction technology, information technology, and renewable energy are also expanding. As the housing market in northern Arizona evolves, the lack of workforce in skilled transactions remains a concern, helping community colleges bridge the gap. Programs that train electricians, carpenters and HVAC experts are not only essential to maintaining local infrastructure, but also drive innovative solutions to local challenges. For example, the CCC’s initiative to build a small net-zero home in Navajo Nation demonstrates how CTE can address both economic and environmental challenges, providing students with a hands-on experience in sustainable construction practices.
Community colleges are more than an educational institution. They are the engines of economic development and the pillars of community resilience. By investing in CTE, the community doesn’t just prepare students for work. They ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of their region. Business and industry leaders play a key role in this development by supporting CTE programs through mentorship, occupational placement and industry collaboration.
Northern Arizona can help businesses provide the skilled workforce they need to ensure long-term economic stability and thrive by fostering strong connections between industry, communities and education. FBN
Eric A. Heiser
Dr. Eric A. Heiser is president and CEO of Coconino Community College. For more information about the workforce development and CTE program, visit www.coconino.edu or call 928-527-1222.
