In recent years, Pima has strengthened its technology-focused workforce development program, refined its course offerings, and invested millions of dollars in new state-of-the-art buildings and facilities.

and the Pima County Joint Technical Education District expanded its facilities and offerings to teach much-needed technical skills to local high school students.

Expansion of PCC’s acclaimed Aviation Technology Center at Tucson International Airport was completed last fall, more than doubling the footprint from 35,000 square feet to 87,000 to accommodate classrooms, laboratories and large jetliners A second hangar was added, large enough for

At its downtown Pima campus, the school is now past the halfway point of a $45 million project to expand and upgrade its Applied Technology Center of Excellence, which offers programs in automotive repair, construction, building trades and industrial technology.

In 2021, Pima will move its automotive program to the new Automotive Technology and Innovation Center on its campus at West Speedway and North Stone Avenue. The 50,000-square-foot building offers state-of-the-art programs to repair today’s sophisticated cars and trucks, including electric vehicles.

Just across the campus is the recently completed $35 million Advanced Manufacturing Building. His three-story 100,000-square-foot building will house programs in industrial technology such as automation, computer-aided design (CAD), machining, and welding.

The next phase will be the renovation of the Science and Technology Building, which houses Pima’s program in architecture and construction programs.

Applied Technology Dean Greg Wilson said the Advanced Manufacturing Building is complete, but there’s still a lot of work to do before the equipment is installed.

“Everything will be migrated over the summer, after which the plan is to be 100 percent operational in the fall of 2023,” Wilson said.

Pima works with employers large and small, from Raytheon Missiles & Defense to car dealerships, to train students to meet their changing job needs and provide the resources students need to get jobs after completing their studies. create curricula, programs and internships.

The Advanced Manufacturing Building houses a new program to teach optics technical skills developed in consultation with members of Tucson’s strong “Optics Valley” industry cluster, including Raytheon, Edmund Optics, and laser diode manufacturer Leonardo. increase. Oro Valley.

Pima will help supply engineers for optical manufacturing, while the University of Arizona’s top-rated James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences provides degreed engineers and PhDs to the industry, Wilson said. increase.

Pima said it plans to start with creditless optics workforce training and future certification programs based on admissions certification, and the school could launch a pilot program this spring or summer, Wilson said. added that there is

Pima already offers several credit-free “fast track” programs in the automotive and construction sectors, according to Wilson, where students are taught core competencies identified by local employers over eight to 12 weeks. I’m here.

Pima is also working closely with Pima JTED, which will open a new Innovative Learning Center at The Bridges on South Park Avenue near Interstate 10 in 2021.

The facility houses programs in healthcare, including medical and licensed nursing assistants, cybersecurity, virtual reality game design, and culinary arts.

Approved by voters in 2006, JTED serves more than 100,000 students and offers 65 career and technical education programs at 15 central campuses and 38 public high schools in Pima County, San Manuel, Rio Rico and Nogales. offers.

The expansion of the Aviation Technology Center removes the waiting list for Pima’s Federal Aviation Administration programs for airframe and power plant maintenance, structural repairs and avionics.

Enabled by $15 million in state funding, this expansion will allow PCC to double its admissions to 250 and its graduation rate to 150 each year. The school also plans to add a non-destructive testing program this fall with the help of her $490,000 federal grant awarded last year.

“There is still a waiting list to join the program, but the waiting time has gone from a year to maybe six months,” said Jason Bowersock, Academic Director of the Aviation Program.

Pima’s aviation program – which places nearly all students in the workforce each year – is an important source of labor for Tucson’s aviation maintenance industry, which includes Ascent Aviation Services, Bombardier and MHI RJ, which acquired Bombardier’s CRJ Regional Jet business. 2020 Tucson Airport Operations.

“Pima Community College is an important resource we rely on to develop aeronautical engineers,” said David Querio, president of Ascent, which specializes in retrofitting older airliners.

Ascent, which employs about 450 people at the TIA site and another site at Pinal Air Park, said Querio said production of new aircraft has reached record levels and as older planes are retired. said it expects continued growth.

Adrian Hitz, director of operations for MHI RJ’s Tucson Service Center, said by 2024, the company needs to grow its workforce from 360 technicians to 675.

Pima is also active in the areas of information technology and cybersecurity.

In 2019, the Information Technology Center of Excellence at the school’s East Campus on East Irvington Road hosted the nonprofit Arizona Cyber ​​Warfare Range. This allows students as well as the general public to practice their hacking and anti-hacking skills in a safe space. , a closed network.

In early March, Pima and Raytheon Missiles & Defense signed a deal to offer computer systems administration apprenticeships through PCC’s East Campus.

The state-registered two-year apprenticeship program is the first partnership of its kind between Raytheon (the region’s largest employer with approximately 13,000 regional workers) and PCC.

Starting with small pilots, the apprenticeship program could help fill critical IT positions in a tough labor market, according to Kenneth Wilcox, Raytheon’s vice president and chief information officer.

“It’s a very competitive market for the type of work we do, so our employees have a lot of choice,” says Wilcox. “The post-pandemic environment has changed how people want to work and their expectations around it. Our situation is unique because (security) clearances are often required.”

Meanwhile, PCC is working with 17 small employers to set up state-registered apprenticeships that the school sponsors across its programs and campuses.

Habitat for Humanity works with PCC to provide both affordable housing and the need for a skilled workforce.

The Connie Hillman Urban Construction Knowledge Center (CHUCK) serves as Habitat Tucson’s construction hub, warehouse, and training center. Scheduled to open at the end of March, it will offer vocational training and internship opportunities.

Located on Habitat Tucson-owned property in the Flowing Wells area, the facility features over 15,000 square feet of warehouse, classroom, and office space.

PCC’s partnership with the Applied Technology Program provides students with the opportunity to work under the guidance of experienced Habitat Tucson staff and skilled community volunteers.

Students complete traditional apprenticeships in the fields of construction, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical engineering.

visit Habitat tucson.org you can know more.

Other efforts to increase skilled workers include sports and entertainment venues on Tucson’s south side that will make room for workforce development.

Mosaic Quarter Development, which is building a 90-acre center at the Keno Sports Complex in Ajo Way, has contracted with Pima Community College to support PCC programs at the site, including hospitality, culinary, business building and sports injury management. The entire Mosaic district.

Knott Development, a managing member of the project, also pledged to donate 5,000 square feet to a restaurant pavilion managed by PCC culinary students.

Mosaic has named Tucson Medical Center as its official sports medicine partner.

TMC Health and Tucson Orthopedic will provide athletic trainers for the games held at the complex.

The partnership also announced the construction of a 20,000-square-foot medical center on TMC-managed property.

PCC and Pima JTED’s Sports Injury Management Program will be part of a program that provides training opportunities.