In Arizona, the Career and Technical Education Professional Internship Program offered through the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) “provides students with a quality work-based learning experience after completing classroom, laboratory experience and 100 hours of professional internship experience” as reported in the Peoria Times.
In the PUSD, 99% of graduates take at least one Career Technical Education (CTE) course and 74% of PUSD graduates take two or more courses. CTE education in the District starts with exploratory courses in a program called Technology, Life and Careers (TLC). TLC is the first level of Career and Technical Education in the Peoria Unified School District. The purpose of The TLC program is to introduce the 6 Peoria Career Fields and the 16 National Career Clustersâ„¢ to seventh and eighth grade students. The students will have the opportunity to explore the Career Fields and Clusters with classroom instruction and hands on lab experiences related to specific careers. The program allows students to attain technical skills, life skills and career exploration necessary for further education and the workplace.
The Peoria Times also stated “Through the CTE internship program, students are provided an opportunity to realistically investigate professional fields being considered for future employment. The program helps students gain an educational perspective, financial information, and knowledge about all aspects of a specific career.”
Ramona Schescke, Member Services Manager