Recommendations on professional career onboarding

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The AEEC recommends the creation of the Professional Carrer Onboardin (PCO) that will be dedicated to both youth and adults. PCO will be a high-quality professional onboarding with embedded industry standards. Obtained skills, qualifications, and credentials within the given PCO will be recognized by the entire industry in the state and its recognition will be ensured by the mutually signed PCO Memorandum of Cooperation by representatives of the industry and AEEC. 

PCOs will provide individuals with opportunities to obtain workplace-relevant knowledge and experience and progressively advance skills. PCOPs will include a paid-work component and an educational component and result in an industry-recognized credentials. PCOs will be developed and delivered by industry groups and corporations in cooperation with educational institutions (CTEDs and the Arizona Department of Education) and will be coordinated by the AEEC to ensure its success and sustainability. 

PCO won't require registration. The industry-led, market-driven approach will give employers and other stakeholders in Arizona the additional flexibility necessary to expand the creation of a paid professional experience model into industries where registered programs are less prevalent and to address the diverse workforce needs of different industries and occupations.  AAEC strongly supports and promotes the industry-led and market-driven approach. Arizona's PCO will provide a new professional career pathway that lets industry organizations take the lead in identifying high-quality paid professional experience opportunities based on the needs of their industry.