CFA and Peoria Unified School District are providing hands-on internships creating strong industry connections, and preparing students for continued learning and successful careers
OPPORTUNITY Despite its importance, scaling work-based learning, like internships, remains a significant challenge in Arizona and requires a comprehensive strategy. Building a robust work-based learning ecosystem – including students, schools, and industry – is essential for providing students the opportunity to engage with industry and complete meaningful work tasks that contribute to their knowledge, skills, and work readiness in concert with their classroom education.
STRATEGIC ACTION As part of CFA’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity initiative, we collaborate with school districts, chambers of commerce, and industry partners to scale work-based learning experiences for students. Our partnership with Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) is a prime example of this effort.
In 2023-2024, CFA and PUSD developed strategies to increase workplace and work-like experience opportunities in construction and related fields for students. By working with local businesses like Highway 85 Creative and applying for the Department of Education’s Career Z Challenge funding, we successfully provided impactful internships for hundreds of students in Peoria that focused on:
- Access: Create opportunities for students to try on jobs and build skills.
- Support: Help employers meet new talent and support student development.
- Connections: Strengthen ties between industry and education.
INSIGHTS Students gained practical skills, real-world experience, and industry insights, boosting their readiness for future careers. These internships allowed students to apply classroom learning in professional settings, building confidence and competence. Businesses benefited by effectively mentoring and connecting with potential future employees, building knowledge and strong examples of how to overcome common barriers to hosting interns, such as supervision and student integration. The success of these internships has led to ongoing opportunities and expanded partnerships, ensuring more students benefit from real-world experiences each year.
