High school students at West-MEC in Arizona are being trained in advanced manufacturing as the state prepares for thousands of new jobs across the aerospace, automation and semiconductor industries.
The two-year programme gives pupils practical experience with industrial equipment and the safety procedures used in modern manufacturing. Students learn about electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, robotics and production processes.
West-MEC instructor Matthew Cotton said the aim was to give students a strong grounding before they entered the workplace, helping them become more effective trainees and more confident using specialist tools.
The course also includes cleanroom simulation training, designed to prepare students for roles in semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing. West-MEC says pupils can work towards industry certifications including NC3, Universal Robots and KUKA CORE qualifications.
West-MEC students prepare for Arizona’s manufacturing jobs
Students Lilo Taputu and Maxim Casillas described the programme as an introduction to a new field, with lessons designed to mirror the demands of a real industrial environment.
Casillas said the practical training had shown him that manufacturing could offer a direct route into employment without requiring several additional years of university study. He has also used the machinery to work on personal projects alongside class assignments.
The programme is offered at West-MEC’s north-east and south-east campuses in Phoenix, with potential career paths including robotics technician, automation specialist, manufacturing process technician, cleanroom technician, CNC machine operator and quality-control technician.
Arizona’s Office of Strategic Initiatives says the state is experiencing rapid growth in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor production, with education providers and government agencies expanding training opportunities to meet demand. The Arizona Commerce Authority estimates that semiconductor-related developments announced since 2020 could create about 25,000 new jobs.
For West-MEC students, the course is intended to turn that projected demand into a practical opportunity, giving them technical skills and workplace experience before they graduate.
