Arizona workers outside of the state's main urban centers will have more opportunities to get advanced technical skills training thanks to a pair of new accelerators announced by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
The first two programs, called Future48 Workforce Accelerators, are launching in Kingman and Yuma. They will be overseen by the Arizona Commerce Authority and are established in partnership with higher education and industry participants.
The accelerators are part of a $30 million investment by the state in 2022 to create up to six advanced manufacturing training facilities around the state in partnership with community colleges.
Hobbs’ office pointed out that manufacturing employment increased by 12% between 2017 and 2021, with demand continuing to increase thanks to expansions in sectors such as semiconductors, biosciences, battery and automotive, aerospace and defense, renewable energy and others.
“Arizona has become an epicenter of emerging technologies, which brings good-paying jobs in durable industries, but we also need to make sure our economic boom benefits Arizonans all across our state," Hobbs said in a statement. "That’s why I'm proud to announce the launch of these two manufacturing workforce accelerators in Yuma and Kingman, which will provide new opportunities to reach all of our workforce and diverse communities.”
About the accelerators
Yuma’s accelerator is being launched in partnership with Arizona Western College along with TRAX International, the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, General Motors Proving Grounds, the Gowan Co., Allo Fiber, D&H Electric, Sunday Electric, Yuma Electric and others.
Training there will focus on electrical technology, advanced manufacturing, broadband fiber optics, and solar installation in support of the region’s aerospace and defense industries.
A 5,600-square-foot expansion of the Wellton Manufacturing Training Center on the AWC campus will be built and is expected to be completed in 2024.
In Kingman, Mohave Community College is partnering on an accelerator that will support manufacturing, transportation and mining industries. A 30,000-square-foot facility will be built at Kingman Airport and Industrial Park and is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Industry partners for the Kingman accelerator include NUCOR Steel, Kingman and Mohave Manufacturing Association, Progressive Pipe, Arizona Sommers Cooling and Heating and others.
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are modeled after a program in Pinal County called Drive48. That program is a collaboration between the ACA, Central Arizona College, Pinal County, the city of Casa Grande and Lucid Group and trains workers in automotive manufacturing. More than 2,000 students have graduated from Drive48 since 2,000, state officials said.
“In Arizona, we are known for our innovative and forward-thinking workforce development models that scale talent quickly to meet industry needs,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, in a statement. “The Future48 Workforce Accelerators represent Arizona’s latest workforce advancement, connecting students with the skills and know-how needed for jobs in the state’s growing advanced manufacturing industry.”
