The Arizona Education Economic Commission (AEEC) announced a strategic alliance with Pipeline Connects, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing career pathways and workforce development in Arizona. This collaboration will strengthen efforts to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring students and job seekers can seamlessly transition into high-demand careers.
The alliance leverages AEEC’s industry-driven leadership and policy expertise with Pipeline Connects’ statewide career ecosystem and workforce technology solutions − including the platforms Pipeline AZ and My Future AZ − to expand access to career exploration, skills training, and employment opportunities.
“Pipeline Connects has been vital to Arizona’s education-to-workforce pipeline, and formalizing this collaboration marks a new chapter in aligning education with the needs of our economy,” said Edward Cota, Chief Strategy Officer at the Arizona Department of Education and Chairman of AEEC. “By working together, we will create more direct pathways from education to employment, ensuring Arizona’s workforce remains competitive and future-ready.”
“Together, we are creating a model that ensures every Arizonan − whether they are a student exploring careers, a transitioning worker, or an employer seeking skilled talent − has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Pipeline Connects CEO Amber Smith.
Aligning Education with Industry Needs
The AEEC, established by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), brings together Fortune 500 industry leaders, workforce experts, and education institutions to modernize workforce education and create scalable career-connected learning solutions.
“Pipeline Connects has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to strengthening career pathways in Arizona, and we look forward to working together to create lasting impact for students, job seekers, and employers,” added Cota. “This alliance is key to expanding access to skills-based education and ensuring Arizona remains a national leader in workforce innovation.”
“Our organization empowers job seekers, employers, educational institutions, and the community by providing a centralized resource for career development and workforce solutions,” Smith said.”Pipeline Connects stands apart by leveraging alliances with committed organizations like AEEC to create a unified, streamlined pathway to success for both individuals and businesses.”
Key Focus Areas of the Alliance:
- Enhancing Career Pathways – Expanding My Future AZ to integrate career-connected learning and industry engagement, providing students and job seekers with direct access to high-demand career pathways.
- Industry-Driven Talent Alignment – Strengthening employer engagement by ensuring Arizona’s workforce training programs match the real-time evolving needs of key industries such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.
- Expanding Workforce Technology Solutions – Leveraging PipelineAZ’s skills-matching tools, labor market insights, and career navigation resources to connect job seekers with real-time opportunities.
- Driving Policy and Funding Advocacy – AEEC and Pipeline Connects will work together to advocate for increased workforce funding and expanded career and technical education programs, ensuring continued investment in Arizona’s economic and workforce development.
Collaboration Kicks Off at the AEEC Industry Summit
This formal collaboration will support the outcomes of the AEEC Industry Summit in April 2025, where leaders from education, business, and workforce development will gather to discuss scalable solutions, policy alignment, and industry collaboration to advance Arizona’s workforce strategy.
“Together, AEEC and Pipeline Connects are strengthening Arizona’s workforce infrastructure and creating new pathways to opportunity,” said Cota. “This alliance is a testament to Arizona’s commitment to building a unified, industry-aligned workforce ecosystem that benefits students, employers, and the entire state economy.”
