Arizona Department of Education invests $5.1M in career development programs

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Education announced last week it has awarded $5.1 million of federal recovery funds to three career development programs.

“Our students have big dreams, and they should have resources to gain the skills necessary to make them a reality,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said in a press release.

“Our schools are committed to the future of our state, and these investments will help grow a sustainable pipeline for industries across our state.”

The money comes from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress last year, with Jobs for Arizona Graduates and Junior Achievement of Arizona each receiving $2 million and Arizona Business Education Coalition being awarded $1.1 million.

Jobs for Arizona Graduates will use the money for intervention to help prevent disconnection from school and facilitate academic improvements, while Junior Achievement of Arizona is set to use the funds for its career-readiness program for middle and high school students across the state.

The Arizona Business Education Coalition will use the funds to help students in grades 6-12 make informed decisions regarding their education, as well as help provide an understanding of critical employability skills or credentials needed for the workforce.

The Arizona Department of Education has recently announced various recipients of federal relief dollars meant to help schools, students, educators and families recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Programs that have received assistance from the department include those that focus on the mental and physical health of children, organizations that support students with disabilities, as well as Native American programs.

More information about the recipients of federal relief dollars can be found on the Arizona Department of Education’s website.

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