On this fifth occasion in her Governorship, Arizona Chief Executive Katie Hobbs helped announce the latest “jobs for tomorrow” initiative, propelling the Grand Canyon’s state to become a beacon for a futuristic regional and national technological workforce Mecca: A Future48 Workforce Accelerator with an Aerospace and Defense focus centralized at the Maricopa County Community College’s Chandler-Gilbert Williams Campus.
Previous Future48 Workplace training hubs in Page, Apache Junction, Yuma, Mohave County, and Phoenix have focused on creating the “jobs for tomorrow” in areas like cyber security, future battery technology, semiconductor manufacturing, and automotive assembly.
Funding, according to Governor Hobb’s press release-email following the event comes in part from a $30 million investment from the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The Chandler-Gilbert Williams campus will receive six million dollars to build their new workforce development center.
This announcement comes after the Governor announced the recommissioning of the Arizona Space Commission on February 14, 2025.
In remarks on restarting the space commission, Governor Hobbs stated:
Creating economic opportunity and advancing innovation are essential to realizing the Arizona Promise. The newly launched Arizona Space Commission will solidify our state’s leadership in space exploration and help grow our workforce in critical industries of the future.”
In remarks at the announcement of the new Future48 Workforce Accelerator event at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the Governor said:
“The Arizona promise is about ensuring that Arizonans have opportunity, security, and freedom. And delivering that promise means that we’re doing everything we can to ensure that Arizonans can take advantage of the great opportunities of our booming economy. We know that opportunity starts in the classroom and expanding pathways to success for students ensures that they will have the skills they need to get a good paying family, sustaining job. More than a job, a career...And knowing this, my Administration has made significant investments in Workforce Development, including our Build it Az Initiative, which aims to double the number of apprentices in the building trades, folks literally building the economy that we’re growing. We have invested in Community College Workforce scholarship programs, and my Talent Ready Az initiative, which includes the the Workforce Cabinet and works to align all of our Workforce initiatives across state agencies. And finally, the Future48 Workforce Accelerators, which work to couple industry with our community colleges to ensure students are getting the cutting edge training they need to ensure their success.”
“So today building on our efforts and taking another step forward with the launch of the latest Future 48, Workforce accelerator here at Chandler, Gilbert Community College is so important as Arizona has established itself as a leader in Aerospace and defense sectors. We are home to over 1,200 aerospace and defense companies. Companies that contribute nearly 15 billion dollars annually to our economy and employ more than 62,000 Arizonans. Again we need to ensure that Arizonans are reaping the benefits and this program is one more way to do that. Here at this facility, students in Arizona will have the opportunity to become a part of this ever growing in demand workforce and set themselves up for a lifetime of success. This is the first of its kind Aerospace and Defense focused facility supported by more than six million dollar investment from the Arizona Commerce Authority, providing hands-on training and aerospace and defense, featuring state-of-the-art Labs equipped with industry standard equipment as you can see around you here and ensuring, that Arizona ends are prepared to meet the needs of this dynamic industry. It’s a win-win for employers and Arizonans alike... This is why our economy is booming. It’s why we’ve created so many jobs in my Administration and why we are going to continue to be at the forefront of these emerging industries and technologies here in the state of Arizona. These accelerators are more than a means to an end. They represent opportunity and the chance for working Arizonans to get ahead building careers instead of just jobs... We are building a brighter future for Arizonans, where everyone has a chance at the Arizona promise…“
Before the Governor spoke, Arizona Commerce Authority President Sandra Watson offered some remarks, conveying:
“Arizona’s Future 48, Workforce Accelerators are a game changer for Arizona’s workers. And companies through this novel approach, we are working closely with industry to anticipate the jobs of the future and train Arizonans, for jobs proactively.”
“Aerospace and defense represents a natural fit. For this facility we are currently ranked in the top five in the country for aerospace and defense jobs with many more on the way over the next five years. The ACA has worked with our industry Partners to announce more than 60 aerospace and defense expansion projects representing over 12,600. Projected new jobs and 2.8 billion dollars in capital investment. In our pipeline. We currently have nearly 80 projects tied to Aerospace and defense representing another roughly 16,000 projected, new jobs, should those projects come to fruition? Clearly, this is an industry poised for growth, and we intend to make the most of it. Arizona has earned a global reputation for workforce excellence.”
“In this highly competitive environment, in which we operate, we continue to innovate and take our leadership to new heights…Governor Hobbs has been a tireless champion of Workforce, Development, and preparing Arizonans for the jobs of tomorrow. We are so grateful for her leadership and her vision to create more opportunities for Arizonans.”
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