Horne, industry leaders salute partnership to develop skilled workforce
- Thu, Apr 30 2026 •
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- Statements from the Superintendent
Career and Technical Education showing growth, success
PHOENIX – Flanked by state industry leaders, students, parents and educators, state schools chief Tom Horne celebrated the growing success of the Department of Education’s work to ensure career-ready students are prepared to take on high-paying skilled jobs.
Horne was joined today by students who are thriving in the workforce because of their experience and education in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout the state. Industry leaders from diverse segments of the economy including Abrazo Health, Dignity Health, Honeywell Aerospace, Arizona State Future Farmers of America (FFA), ASU, Custom Automotive Reconditioning Services (CARS), Gas Technical Institute (GTI) Energy, and Able Aerospace were also on hand along with parents and educators.
Horne said, “Arizona has great businesses. But CEOs told me that one of their biggest problems is a lack of skilled labor. I told them: I’ll make you a deal. I have access to 1,200,000 students so I can provide your skilled labor. In return, you will teach our career technical education teachers and administrators what skills are needed to get a well-paid job in your company upon graduation from high school. 40 of Arizona’s largest companies agreed, and we call this the Student Industry Partnership or SIP.”
He added, “Not all students go to college. Those that do not must have the certified skills to get a well-paid job after high school. Our philosophy is: every student, without exception, graduates career or college ready.”
Horne concluded, “Exposure to possible jobs is highly motivating. As a result, career technical education students graduate at an astounding 97.4% rate, far exceeding the state average.“
Over the past two years more than 58,000 CTE students earned more than 77,000 credentials. This week, 40,000 students are finishing their Technical Skills Assessment. 40,000 students in one year compared to 58,000 over the past two years demonstrates significant growth.
As of this date, there are slightly more than 161,000 students enrolled in CTE programs representing 326 schools and 144 districts with more than 2,500 site-level programs.
