Opinion: Building Careers and Community: Investing in Pima JTED Fuels Tucson’s Future

Growing up, my sole ambition was to become a professional soccer player. When I neared 18 and faced the reality that my athletic career was not going to happen, the shift was jarring. Like many young people staring down adulthood without a clear roadmap, I had to figure out what came next, fast.

Traditional four-year university tracks never felt like the right fit for me. I was never the best student in school, but everything changed at Desert View High School when a dedicated instructor, Mr. Gutierrez, took over a welding class that evolved into a machine shop program. He recognized how I learned best: hands-on, solving real mechanical challenges and seeing tangible results. He introduced me to the Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED), laying out a practical path into a technical trade.

JTED met me where I was and opened doors I never knew existed. While students who participate in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs consistently achieve higher high school graduation rates than their non-CTE peers, the real value goes far beyond the diploma. CTE gives students who do not thrive in lecture-heavy settings a reason to stay engaged, graduate and envision a viable future. It equips us with industry-standard skills and professional certifications that translate immediately into high-demand careers.

Through JTED’s industry connections, I was suddenly interviewing with employers and secured a fully funded internship with Zygo Corp., an optics manufacturer utilizing CNC machines. That opportunity let me gain foundational technical experience at zero out-of-pocket cost.

My path was not linear. Because of personal choices and mistakes, I stumbled early on and did not initially finish my machinist certificate. Accountability was tough, but the door JTED cracked open into the precision manufacturing and optics sector gave me a foundation to rebuild. Mentors like Sergio Arguelles and Virginia Figueroa saw potential in my work ethic, instilling values of accountability, technical excellence and leadership.

Today, I serve as an engineer at Edmund Optics right here in Tucson — without a four-year college degree.

Our region faces critical workforce shortages across advanced manufacturing, optics, aerospace, skilled trades and healthcare. JTED plays a vital role in solving these labor gaps by training students in everything from precision machining to health technology. By delivering CTE instruction directly to high school students and supporting satellite programs across 14 school districts spanning Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties, JTED prepares young people for high-wage, essential jobs while keeping homegrown talent right here in our local economy.

The demand for this training is undeniable. Over the past five years, JTED has seen a 77% enrollment surge. Yet, every year, between 600 and 800 eager students are turned away simply because of a lack of classroom space, equipment and resources. We cannot afford to leave these students behind when our regional industries need them most.

For just 10 cents a day, our community can ensure that no student seeking a vocational path is turned away because of a lack of resources. My journey proves that hands-on CTE pathways work and that a university degree is not the only route to a thriving career. Please vote yes to support Pima JTED so other young people across our community have the same opportunities to discover their potential, graduate and build lasting careers right here at home.