Optical Emission Spectroscopy: Training Our Workforce for Tucson’s High-Wage Future
At the Community Coalition for Prosperity (CC4P), our mission is to align Pima County with the Prosperity Initiative—a commitment to increasing economic mobility for all our neighbors. While much of our work focuses on early childhood education and housing, we also recognize that "Prosperity" requires access to the high-tech career ladders blooming right here in Tucson. As our city solidifies its reputation as "Optics Valley," specialized technical skills like Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) are becoming the new currency of the middle class. By integrating these advanced technical competencies into our local workforce development programs, we can ensure that high-wage manufacturing jobs are filled by Tucsonans from every zip code.
Tucson’s aerospace and defense sectors rely on the precision of metal analysis. Optical Emission Spectroscopy is a critical tool used by technicians to determine the elemental composition of metals, ensuring safety and quality in everything from aircraft parts to medical devices. Currently, there is a "skills gap" that often prevents residents from underserved communities from accessing these technical roles. If we want to effect radical change in our poverty rates, we must provide the "bridge" training—vocational pathways that teach students and transitioning workers how to master OES and other analytical technologies.