The Jeffco PCLE four-day Tucson Experience is a curated, joint learning journey with Red Rocks Community College and Pima County public and private partners, designed to spark impactful connections and collective insight around Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace development. While this program highlights how Pima County chose these sectors to accelerate its economic growth, the strategies explored from workforce collaboration to sector alignment and investment attraction will offer valuable lessons for any industry seeking to strengthen regional competitiveness and economic impact.
To deepen learning and maximize relevance, participants will engage in distinct but interconnected tracks that use Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace as key case studies while exploring Pima County’s overall economic development strategy and ecosystem.
Workforce Development Track: Explore how Southern Arizona has built integrated education and training pipelines to support critical sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace, which serve as cornerstone industries for the region’s growth. At the same time, participants will examine how these approaches fit within a broader talent and workforce strategy that serves multiple sectors. This includes aligning curriculum design with employer needs, expanding industry-recognized credentials, advancing apprenticeship and work-based learning models, and strengthening collaboration among higher education, training institutions, industry partners, and public-sector workforce agencies.
Economic Development Track: Dive into Pima County’s sector-selection process for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing as an entry point into understanding its comprehensive economic development framework. Participants will identify the key drivers and partnerships that made these focus areas successful, while also examining how the county approaches site readiness, infrastructure, incentives, business retention and expansion, and cross-sector coordination across the wider economy. This track offers replicable insights for leaders in any industry looking to strengthen their regional ecosystem and competitiveness.
On Thursday morning, participants will split into these focused sessions; throughout the remainder of the trip, both tracks converge for joint discussions, tours, and shared strategy work, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and collective action toward common goals.
