Governor Hobbs Announces New Battery-Focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator In Pinal County
PHOENIX, AZ (April 3, 2024) – Arizona’s newest Future48 Workforce Accelerator will launch in Pinal County in support of the region’s growing battery manufacturing industry, Governor Hobbs announced today.
Launched in partnership with Pinal County, Central Arizona College, LG Energy Solution, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Design Systems Inc. (DSI) and Architekton Architects, the Pinal County Accelerator will offer workforce training focused on the manufacturing process of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, used for electric vehicles and other technology applications. The accelerator will also provide hands-on process training for LGES manufacturing equipment and safety processes and incorporate virtual reality and simulation technology for personnel training.
“Arizona’s job growth has been non-stop, and this new partnership is another sign we have no intention of taking our foot off the gas,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Our community colleges are critical institutions to the success of our state, and I am excited for the students at Central Arizona College to take advantage of this exciting new opportunity. I want to thank LG Energy Solution for partnering with us and for continuing to support our efforts to strengthen Arizona’s workforce.”
The partnership will include construction of a new 19,850-square-foot building on Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction. The project is expected to be completed in December 2024. Once operational, the Accelerator will train hundreds of students at a time for careers in battery manufacturing.
“Central Arizona College is pleased to be a partner in creating a world class learner environment where future students will learn the latest LGES manufacturing technology from industry experts,” said Dr. Jackie Elliott, President/CEO, Central Arizona College. “We are dedicated in providing workforce development opportunities that benefit not only Pinal County but also the state of Arizona and our Nation.”
“We recognize the need to create training opportunities to support these innovative new roles in the battery industry, so we are excited to be partnering with Central Arizona College on the creation of the Future48 Workforce Accelerator at the Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction,” said Mike Goodman, Supervisor-District 2 and Chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. “This high-tech training center will allow our workforce to learn the cutting-edge science needed to meet the needs of these high-technology advanced manufacturing jobs."
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are part of a $30 million investment to build up to six advanced manufacturing training facilities across the state in partnership with local community colleges.
The newest Pinal County Workforce Accelerator follows the previously-announced semiconductor accelerator launched in partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges as well as rural accelerators in Yuma and Kingman.
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are modeled after the successful Drive48 facility in Pinal County. A collaboration between the ACA, Central Arizona College, Pinal County, the City of Casa Grande, and Lucid, Drive48 features multiple assembly robots and individual training rooms to prepare workers for jobs in automotive manufacturing. Since 2021, more than 2,400 students have graduated from Drive48.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch the new battery-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Pinal County,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The new battery-focused accelerator showcases Arizona’s commitment to creating innovative, results-oriented workforce solutions that meet the needs of industry and offer accessible skills-training opportunities for Arizona residents. We’re grateful to all the partners including Governor Hobbs, Pinal County, Central Arizona College, and LG Energy Solution for their partnership to make this accelerator a reality.”
“This investment in Arizona’s current and future workforce is critical for preparing and training Arizona residents to establish and develop their careers in our state’s rapidly expanding economy,” said Mike Gonzalez, Vice President with McCarthy Building Companies’ Southwest Region. “We are honored to be partnering again with Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College and the other organizations who are leading the effort to ensure Arizona’s future as a leader in the advanced manufacturing sector by building high-tech Career and Technical Education facilities serving the Silicon Desert.”
Arizona is consistently recognized as a top state for workforce development. According to Lightcast, Maricopa County ranks No. 1 for Talent Attraction and Retention for the fourth straight year. In 2023, Arizona ranked No. 3 in the nation for workforce by CNBC.
Media Contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.