West-MEC opens enrollment for career and technical certifications

West-MEC enrollment is now available for all of their campuses. The adult education program offers career and technical education programs that give students hands-on experience in field from healthcare to law.

In the past 20 years the campuses have experienced significant growth in size an impact. West-MEC supports over 40,000 students, and continues to develop strong partnerships with industry leaders such as Amazon, Gatorade and Nestlé.

West-MEC Superintendent, Dr. Scott Spurgeon, and Executive Director of Student Services, Marilynn Babyar, joined “Arizona Horizon” to share how West-MEC is providing student with real-world skills.

West-MEC opens enrollment for hands-on career training across the West Valley

Enrollment is now open for West-MEC’s slate of career and technical education programs, giving high schoolers and adult learners access to hands-on training in fields ranging from healthcare to law and public safety.

West-MEC, the Western Maricopa Education Center, serves students from more than 130 schools across its district footprint. Superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon told “Arizona Horizon” that every program is designed around a “high-value credential,” meaning students leave with an industry-recognized certification that can take them straight into the workforce the day after completion.

Programs include nursing assistant, physical therapy, auto technology, collision repair, welding and more.

Spurgeon noted that demand continues to climb. Each year, the district receives close to 6,000 applications for about 2,000 available program seats.

To help meet that demand, Maricopa County voters recently approved $415 million in bonds to expand West-MEC’s facilities. The money will fund four new campuses and is expected to roughly double capacity to more than 6,000 students by 2029, with a new southeast campus near Thomas Road and the Loop 101 planned to open in 2026.

Executive Director of Student Services Marilynn Babyar said families are especially excited about how close many of the campuses are to students’ home high schools, which helps with access since state funding does not cover transportation.

She added that West-MEC is investing heavily in “career literacy” at earlier grades, working with elementary and high school counselors so students understand career pathways before they apply.

Whether students plan to enter the workforce immediately or continue to college, West-MEC leaders say the goal is the same: real-world skills, real credentials and a clearer path to in-demand jobs.