Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a public school district focused on career and technical education, is accepting new students for its high-opportunity programs for the 2025-26 school year.

Openings are available at all four of West-MEC’s central campuses in Glendale, Phoenix, Surprise and Buckeye, as well as the Career Academy at the Agua Fria Campus in Avondale. The programs are designed to train students in industries with high employer demand but limited skilled labor supply.

Among the offerings is the Electrical Trade Specialty program, which introduces students to key elements of electrical systems, including interpreting construction drawings, maintaining circuits, and installing lighting and motor systems. Students also receive job-readiness training through mock interviews and résumé workshops. Upon completing the one-year program, students may earn certifications such as OSHA-10 General and pursue entry-level roles like electrician apprentice or journeyman electrician.

The Career Academy at the Agua Fria Campus, located at 920 N. Dysart Road in Avondale, also offers:

• Air Conditioning Technology, which covers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems;
  
  
• Medium and Heavy Diesel Technology, focused on maintaining and repairing diesel engines used in commercial and industrial equipment;
  
  
  
• Welding, a two-year program that teaches fundamental skills in metalworking and industrial fabrication.
  
  

All West-MEC programs provide accommodations for high school students with IEPs or 504 plans and include access to industry credential exams at no additional cost.

West-MEC serves more than 45,000 students from 49 high schools across 3,800 square miles of northern and western Maricopa County. The district also offers adult education programs and hands-on career training intended to foster workforce readiness and economic independence.

For more information about program availability, visit west-mec.edu.