Business & Education Partnership

Business and Education Partnerships assist schools, youth organizations and community groups in making critical connections with the business community in Pima County through career shadowing, career expos, and internships.

Director: Andrew Bevington, andrew.bevington@pima.gov

Tucson Youth Leadership Academy, in partnership with Greater Tucson Leadership and The Pima County Workforce Investment Board August 2022 through May 2023

This 30-hour program introduces students to executives who work in the industries that drive the Tucson Rural Metro economy. Our students complete 20 hours of leadership training with Tucson Greater Leadership and are paired with industry leaders for a ten-hour career shadow experience that allows our students to network and build social capital with local employers.

Fall Virtual Educator Externships in partnership with CFA, ABEC, and ElevteEDAZ

The Fall Virtual Externship is a structured three-day program for educators across Arizona, including middle school, high school, and community college teachers and counselors. During the externship, educators will rotate through various industry experiences provided by multiple businesses. This experience is designed to provide educators with industry awareness and acumen to maximize their ability to help students develop career awareness and enhance career pathway exploration. The virtual externship model maximizes connections between industry and educators to improve student outcomes and meet workforce needs.

Educators receive a $500 stipend upon completing the externship.

Workforce Investment Board Youth Council Career Expo

October 26, 2023

Each year the Youth Council presents a Youth Career Expo series that features a different industry sector showcasing the various career opportunities available.

Virtual Career Connect Events in partnership with CFA, PCC, and the Workforce Investment Board

  • Virtual Engineering/Advanced Manufacturing Career Connect Event, Friday, October 28, 2022, 9:00 am-11:30 am
  • Virtual Healthcare Career Connect Event- November Friday, November 18, 2022, 9:00 am-11:30 am
  • Virtual IT/Cybersecurity Career Connect Event, Friday, February 17, 2023, 9:00 am-11:30 am

The Career Connect experience provides rising 9th - 12th-grade students across Pima County with a 4-hour virtual learning opportunity. This year, the experience is designed to inform high school students about career paths in the healthcare, IT/Cybersecurity, and Engineering/Advanced Manufacturing industries.

Virtual Middle School Job Shadow

Virtual MS Career Shadow for Lauffer/Apollo/Challenger/Sierra - January 19, 2023, 9:00 – 11:00 am

For more than 20 years, The Pima County School Superintendent’s Office has run the Pathways Career Shadowing Program for middle school students. The program supports middle grades students with opportunities to explore their interests and aptitudes in relation to existing career fields, tour Tucson area businesses, and connect with CTE, and academically tracked career pathways in high school. The two-hour business site tours are a student favorite that provide an interactive experience with the Tucson business community.

SheTech Career Explorer Day

SheTech Career Explore Day – March 1, 2023, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

SheTech is a no-cost event for rising 9th - 12th-grade girls that features hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and math alongside professional women in these industries. Schools may send up to 15 students with a teacher to chaperone.

Virtual Educator Externships in partnership with CFA, ABEC, and ElevteEDAZ

  • Educator Externships Session 1 - March 13th -17th, 2023
  • Educator Externships Session 2 - March 20th -24th, 2023
  • Educator Externships Summer Session - early June, 2023

The Virtual Externship is a structured one-week program for educators across Arizona, including middle school, high school, and community college teachers and counselors. During the externship, educators will rotate through various industry experiences provided by multiple businesses. This experience is designed to provide educators with industry awareness and acumen to maximize their ability to help students develop career awareness and enhance career pathway exploration. The virtual externship model maximizes connections between industry and educators to improve student outcomes and meet workforce needs.

Pima Cycle Breaker

Pima Cycle Breaker assists Pima County youth and adults by reengaging them with job placements, wrap-around services, and support in helping them achieve an educational degree or certification. PCB is designed to educate, employ, and support in a variety of fields. Individuals who commit to the program receive assistance with housing, transportation, food, tuition, and other needed benefits. This application is your first opportunity to make a change in your life that is positive and rewarding. Please fill out this application if you want to join Pima Cycle Breaker.

Resources and Partnerships

 

Contact
Andrew Bevington
Director, Business & Education Partnerships
andrew.bevington@pima.gov
520.724.8213