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STATE PROFILE
Arizona
Arizona Career Resource Network (AzCRN)


Program Goals and Emphasis

The primary focus of Arizona’s Career Resource Network (AzCRN) is to provide Arizona’s students, parents, teachers, counselors and consumers relevant and timely career development resources and training to enable them to make informed career and educational decisions.

State Economic Profile

Economic and Environmental Profile

Government is the largest employing sector, followed by professional and business services and retail trade. Mining, manufacturing, aerospace, electronics and tourism are major industries. In Arizona, all 10 of the fastest growing occupations projected for 2003-2013 are in the medical field.

The January 2006 unemployment rate was 4.8%, as compared to 5.0% in April 2005.
Key Economic Sectors

• Construction
• Government
• Health Care & Social Assistance
• Professional & Business Services
• Manufacturing
• Retail Trade

State Career Resource Activities

Highlighted Activities

Highlighted Activities and Trainings
• AzCRN Web site provides Arizonans links to useful career development sites on Occupational Information, School and scholarship information, assessments, jobs, career advice, state agencies, other state sites, professional reseources and a calendar of events on conferences and workshops.
• Arizona Career Information System (AzCIS) is the only comprehensive, state specific Career Information Delivery System (CIDS) that provides occupational, school and AZ labor market information and is available to all Arizona schools, state agencies and non-profit organizations free of charge due to purchasing a state operating license with the ACRN funds.
• AzCRN provides customized training and develops career development curriculum that aligns with CTE Competencies and academic standards within academic, CTE, and special education programs.
• Real Game Series curricula aligned to Arizona Academic Standards, National Career Development Guidelines, SCANS and the American School Counselor Association Standards.
• Integration of Career Clusters within AzCRN products and services.
• Electronic Career Development Portfolios within AzCIS.
 
Primary Activities and Trainings

Highlighted Activities and Trainings (continued)
• National Career Development Guidelines (Revised) workshops
• Improved Career Decision-Making in a Changing World
• Specialized AzCIS training held in school or onsite computer labs, upon request
• Customized Smart Options workshops
• Specialized AzCRN Outreach Presentations
• AzCRN Booth at Conferences
• Provide AzCRN resources at Career Fairs & Major Career Expos
Career Information Delivery Systems (CIDS)

CIDS are computer-based systems providing local, state, and national information about careers and employment opportunities. State sites for CIDS include:

Elementary Schools74
Middle Schools 126
High Schools 301
Community Colleges 22
4-Year Colleges/Universities 21
Other 229

 
Primary Resources

Arizona has published the following resources:
• AzCRN 2004-2005 Career & Educational Guide
• ACRN Parent Brochures (English and Spanish)
• AzCRN Career & Educational Teacher’s Guide
• National Career Development Guidelines
• AzCRN Parent Guide
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• ACRN Parent Brochures (English and Spanish)
• Smart Options
• Real Game Facilitators Kits (Curriculum linked to several standards)

Program Funding and Partnerships

YearAmount
2005$130,314
2004$132,148
2003$132,932
2002$138,946
2001$121,137
Cumulative$655,477
Other Funding Sources

The program receives additional funding from the following source:
• State of Arizona
Significant Program Partnerships

• Arizona Postsecondary Commission
• Arizona Postsecondary Private School Association
• Arizona School Counselor Association
• Arizona Department of Economic Security
• Maricopa Community College
• Rehabilitation Services Administration
• Workforce Connection (One-Stop) Centers
• Workforce Development Administration

Resource Allocation


Contact Information

State Contact

Project Director
Susan Mellegard, MA, CPC, CRC
State Guidance Supervisor & AzCRN Director
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin # 42
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-5353
Fax: (602) 542-1849
e-mail: smelleg@ade.az.gov
Web Site: http://www.ade.az.gov/cte/azcrn
CIDS: http://www.ade.az.gov/cte/azcrn/azcis/
State Administrative Location

Arizona Department of Education, Career and Technical Education

Regional Contact Information