West-MEC Breaks Ground on $13.5M Expansion Project

Western Maricopa Education Center, a career technical education school district serving students in the Phoenix, Arizona West Valley, recently broke ground on a $13.5-million expansion of its Northeast Campus. The expansion will add two new training facilities, update equipment and create more space to serve additional students.

The facility is a 16,500-square-foot advanced manufacturing and welding building that will feature an advanced manufacturing lab and cleanroom, both outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The building will also contain a 2,000-square-foot cutting-edge electric vehicle bay that includes a teaching facility with car lifts and first-hand instructional areas.

Advanced manufacturing, welding and electrical vehicle/hybrid repair industries are growing exponentially across the nation, making this an ideal time to ensure students have a proper education, credentials and workforce experience to prepare them for successful careers.

The project, designed by Orcutt | Winslow and constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, is slated to be completed before the 2025-26 school year.

In addition to the advanced manufacturing, welding and electrical vehicle/hybrid repair programs, West-MEC’s Northeast Campus also offers medical assisting, coding, automotive technology, veterinary science, pharmacy science, collision repair and construction programs.

West-MEC has three additional campuses with 36 programs designed for high school students. The CTED also offers seven programs for adult students looking to upskill or learn a trade.