The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation has received a two-year grant from the Discount Tire founders Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation aimed at supporting various programs.

The amount of the grant for the ElevateEdAZ program was not disclosed, but the program aims to achieve several goals with the funding.

 "Providing students exposure to different career pathways and opportunities to gain real-world experience is essential for students striving to secure high-wage, high-demand careers," said Jennifer Mellor, chief innovation officer for the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation.

ElevateEdAZ plans to serve about 8,000 students with programs that include:

• Increasing the number of students completing career and technical education pathways. 
• Increasing attainment of industry-recognized credentials and early post-secondary credit. 
• Providing more students with high-quality work-based learning experiences to apply academics through internships and job shadows.  
• Empowering educators to reimagine classroom learning through Educator Externships where teachers learn skillsets industry leaders are seeking and can access support to integrate these skills into the curriculum. 

With expansion to two additional high schools, chamber foundation officials said they will now be able to help 44,000 students in the region.

For businesses interested in being involved, click here.