Yuma County Students Embark on Professional Development Pathways
April 27, 2023Arizona Western College partners with Pipeline AZ to match students to a career that aligns with their personal passions
Yuma, AZ (April 28, 2023) – Arizona Western College is arming its students and Yuma jobseekers with a holistic online toolkit of professional planning resources that will assist them in actualizing their dream future career. Through a new partnership with Pipeline AZ, an Arizona career development and jobs skills platform, the AWC Pipeline allows students and job seekers to explore in-demand careers while connecting them to local Yuma County initiatives and organizations for employment and work-based experience opportunities.
“Utilizing the AWC Pipeline platform as a database for professional advancement and specialized industry knowledge will allow students to master essential skills that will prepare them to enter the workforce,” said Dr. Daniel P. Corr, President of Arizona Western College. “Arizona Western College and Pipeline AZ are connecting students to opportunities to set themselves up for success no matter where they find themselves in the professional development process.”
The AWC Pipeline uses Pipeline AZ’s white-labelled platform and services as a central hub for all career exploration as well as talent development infrastructures and resources. Through a partnership with the Arizona Department of Education called My Future AZ, all Arizona high school students also use these services to create a personalized post-secondary plan and take this plan with them when they start classes at Arizona Western College. Students and job seekers can access insights about the exact skills, education, or certificates they need to reach their career goals.
“Pipeline AZ’s collaboration with Arizona Western College engages job seekers and employers, working to fortify the local Yuma County economy by connecting students to job placements in the local community,” said Katherine Pappas, Senior Vice President of Pipeline AZ. “The Pipeline AZ ecosystem was developed in partnership with local businesses, educators, and workforce organizations and caters to the specific needs of Yuma to help Arizona Western College students from the very beginning of their career journeys and throughout their postgraduate careers.”
Every AWC student can customize their profile and access specialized career exploration tools and support. The platform’s pathway mapping technology helps job seekers begin a new trajectory, level-up in their existing careers, explore work or work-based learning opportunities and discover new passions for lifelong success while also giving local employers access to current and rising talent in the region.
“Joining the AWC Pipeline will support students in bridging the gap between high school and college and beyond by helping them strengthen their network and putting them in direct contact with internship and apprenticeship matches,” said Reetika Dhawan, Vice President for Workforce Development and Career & Technical Education at Arizona Western College. “The transition between high school and college is an important milestone and we want to guide students in navigating this exciting next step in their career journeys.”
After completing the platform’s assessment to determine the intersection of their interests, skill sets, and education experience, users will have access to a variety of career exploration opportunities and information, including job shadowing, service learning, field experience, research, apprenticeship, further education, and other opportunities specific to Yuma County.
“Career planning is an intimidating process, but because our high schoolers are already using MyFutureAZ, this complicated process is streamlined significantly. It is never too early to start planning, and this platform will work to bridge the existing gaps between career planning and allow our students to build on their educational and work-based learning experiences,” said Tom Hurt, Yuma County Superintendent.
AWC students and Yuma County job seekers of any age and experience can connect with employers at azwestern.pipelineaz.com.
ABOUT PIPELINE AZ
Pipeline AZ is a career development and exploration platform that creates pathways to in-demand careers by connecting the dots between industry and education. It uses skills mapping technology to help job seekers discover new paths or level up in their existing careers while also serving as a valuable recruiting tool for employers. Learn more at pipelineaz.com.
ABOUT ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE
Located in Yuma, Arizona, Arizona Western College offers over 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of academic and career technical programs, as well as non-credit courses in professional development, customized training, and personal enrichment areas. AWC has 12 locations across a 10,000 square mile, 2-county service area, and hosts all three state universities on our main campus for face-to-face classes. Our college serves more than 300 students who reside on our main campus and fields 7 competitive athletic teams. Our students participate in over 50 campus clubs, and we are home to a challenging Honors Program and curriculum, and a world-class International Program, representing 30 countries from around the globe. Our Mission is to transform lives through education and partnerships to create thriving communities.
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Lauren Dietrick
10 to 1 Public Relations
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Mandy Heil
Arizona Western College
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928-317-6173