A partnership with purpose
Middle school students in the Clarkdale-Jerome School District are gaining early exposure to in-demand careers through a transformative partnership with Yavapai College’s Skilled Trades Center. The initiative connects students with hands-on training in fields like HVAC, nursing, law enforcement and carpentry, years before most of their peers explore similar opportunities.
Superintendent Dr. Matt Schumacher saw the potential early on. “We just want to take advantage of this great partnership with Yavapai College,” he said. “We’re perking the interest of our students in potential career paths that will be beneficial to them and the community at large.”
From the classroom to real-world skills
Unlike traditional classes, these sessions are immersive and career-focused. Held at Yavapai College's state-of-the-art Skilled Trades Center, the program allows students to handle real tools, work with instructors in the field and engage in virtual reality simulations that mirror real-world job sites.
“This program is really interesting because you get to build your own circuits and do simulations in VR,” said Olive Walters-Gonzales an eighth grader. “It’s hands-on, and you get to do different things instead of just...