When their classmates are still asleep in bed on Saturday mornings, high school students enrolled in Aspire-Legacy are in class, hard at work preparing for their future careers.

“But in the end, it’s worth it,” says Sam, among more than 50 Valley students who has learned valuable skills in financial literacy, resume writing, job interviews, life skills and health/wellness.

With support from SRP, APS and Palo Verde, students also get on-site looks at the variety of energy industry careers available in their own communities.

In turn, companies benefit from a low- cost, sustainable method of developing local, diverse talent into viable candidates for employment. Aspire-Legacy is based on a collaborative approach which brings together four key sectors: Industry, Secondary Schools, Community Colleges and Community Support Agencies to serve students from low-to-moderate income families. Training components are delivered by experts with experience in the field. Case management and wrap-around support services to youth and their families are provided through funding from Valley of the Sun United Way.

Stakeholders in Minneapolis, MINN, including Bruce Peterson with the Minnesota Energy Center, recently visited Valley of the Sun United Way with a view to replicating the program there. Phoenix stakeholders including Tony Camp, Career Technical Education Director with Phoenix Union High School District, were there to testify to the program’s impact on Valley students and industry.

The program just launched a new pilot program, Aspire Pathways, to prepare students to fill the growing need for qualified employees in the Healthcare Industry.

At a recent symposium, students and their families shared how the program has changed their lives and their visions for the future. Aspire-Legacy is making a difference for students, families and businesses in our community.