CTE Pathway · SkillsUSA-aligned

Skilled Trades, Industry & Construction

AZ's construction boom and Intel's $30B Chandler fab expansion mean the trades-and-industry pipeline is the highest-paying non-degree pathway in the state. SkillsUSA is the anchor CTSO.

Stage 1 of 4

High School Coursework + JTED

AZ's JTED (Joint Technical Education Districts — EVIT in East Valley, West-MEC in West Valley, Pima JTED in Tucson) provide industry-grade trades training. Students dual-enroll while in HS and graduate with real certifications.

EVIT / West-MEC / Pima JTED programs (welding, automotive, HVAC, electrical, construction)
Industry certifications: NCCER Core, OSHA 10, AWS welding
Engineering design + CAD coursework
Cybersecurity (overlap with TSA pathway)
Aviation maintenance (Chandler-Gilbert, Phoenix Goodyear)

See AZ trades-aligned opps

Stage 2 of 4

CTSO Activities (SkillsUSA)

SkillsUSA hosts the most hands-on competitive program in the CTSO ecosystem — students compete in their actual trade (Welding, Automotive Service, Electrical Construction Wiring, Cosmetology, Culinary). State winners advance to NLSC nationals.

Chapter membership + officer roles
Skills Competitions (Welding, Automotive, Electrical, HVAC, Carpentry)
Workplace skills competitions (Job Interview, Career Pathways Showcase)
AZ SkillsUSA Conference + NLSC qualification
PDP (Professional Development Program) progression

See SkillsUSA-relevant opps

Stage 3 of 4

Apprenticeships + Summer

Trades-pathway summer is different from college-bound summer — it's about getting into a registered apprenticeship. AZ has registered apprenticeship programs through unions, employers, and AZ@Work.

Registered apprenticeships (IBEW, UA Local 469, Sheet Metal Workers Local 359)
Intel apprenticeship pipeline (Chandler fab expansion = 9000+ trade jobs)
AZ@Work youth workforce programs
Honeywell Aerospace apprenticeships
Construction company summer hiring (Sundt, McCarthy Building, DPR)

See AZ trades + workforce opps

Stage 4 of 4

Career or College

Skilled-trades pathway often skips traditional 4-year college. Students enter registered apprenticeships earning $50K+ Year 1 with employer-paid training. Some pursue associate degrees at AZ community colleges (Mesa, Pima, Maricopa) for supervisory tracks.

Direct apprenticeship placement (Year 1 wages $45-60K + benefits)
AZ community college trade certifications (Mesa CC, Pima CC, MCC)
AZ Construction Trades scholarships
Sundt Foundation scholarship (AZ-based contractor)
SkillsUSA Postsecondary continuation

See AZ workforce-pathway scholarships

Explore other Arizona CTE pathways

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For counselors & advisors

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High School Coursework + JTED

EVIT / West-MEC / Pima JTED programs (welding, automotive, HVAC, electrical, construction)

Industry certifications: NCCER Core, OSHA 10, AWS welding

Engineering design + CAD coursework

Cybersecurity (overlap with TSA pathway)

Aviation maintenance (Chandler-Gilbert, Phoenix Goodyear)

See AZ trades-aligned opps

CTSO Activities (SkillsUSA)

Chapter membership + officer roles

Skills Competitions (Welding, Automotive, Electrical, HVAC, Carpentry)

Workplace skills competitions (Job Interview, Career Pathways Showcase)

AZ SkillsUSA Conference + NLSC qualification

PDP (Professional Development Program) progression

See SkillsUSA-relevant opps

Apprenticeships + Summer

Trades-pathway summer is different from college-bound summer — it's about getting into a registered apprenticeship. AZ has registered apprenticeship programs through unions, employers, and AZ@Work.

Registered apprenticeships (IBEW, UA Local 469, Sheet Metal Workers Local 359)

Intel apprenticeship pipeline (Chandler fab expansion = 9000+ trade jobs)

AZ@Work youth workforce programs

Honeywell Aerospace apprenticeships

Construction company summer hiring (Sundt, McCarthy Building, DPR)

See AZ trades + workforce opps

Career or College

Direct apprenticeship placement (Year 1 wages $45-60K + benefits)

AZ community college trade certifications (Mesa CC, Pima CC, MCC)

AZ Construction Trades scholarships

Sundt Foundation scholarship (AZ-based contractor)

SkillsUSA Postsecondary continuation

See AZ workforce-pathway scholarships