Technical news

Technical program leaders on edge after Ducey's State of the State address

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -

Pima County Joint Technical Education District leaders are still on edge following Governor Doug Ducey’s second State of the State address.

JTED spokesperson Greg D’Anna said it’s too early to comment if he thinks what the governor had to say hinted towards restoring funding cuts to the programs.

READ: Career and Technical Education cuts could affect 16,000 students

“I know not every child plans to go to college...their K-12 experience also needs to prepare them for life, which is why I’m targeting high-need employment sectors with a new focus on career and technical education,” Ducey during his speech in Phoenix on Monday. “There is bipartisan support for this, so let’s get it done.”

Tucson News Now reached out to the governor’s office and asked what Ducey meant by his comments on career and technical education.

His communications team e-mailed us that “additional details will be included in the Governor’s budget on Friday” which will “include a renewed focus on career and technical education.”

D’Anna said he thinks the comments are too vague and said he is anxious to hear the governor’s specific plan.

D’Anna said programs like the JTED’s Law and Public Safety program could be on the chopping block, meaning the community could all pay the price if the money is not restored.

“Without the JTED programs, it could become costly to the community,” D’Anna said. “If law enforcement agencies don’t have the pipeline of JTED students, they will lose a significant portion of their recruiting class when those applicants realize it’s not the profession for them...It’s an expense to taxpayers and a waste of time.”

Right now, there are a number of public safety and first responder openings across the Tucson area.

Read the full text of Ducey's State of the State address HERE: http://tucsonne.ws/1ZXhVp0

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