Governor and ACA commit millions to support the semiconductor workforce initiative housed at GateWay Community College.
Tempe, Ariz., November 14, 2024 – Today, GateWay Community College (GWCC) and the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), are proud to officially launch the first-of-its-kind, semiconductor-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator—slated to welcome students and industry in 2027.
“Today's announcement marks a pivotal moment for our system,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, MCCCD Chancellor. “The infusion of funding into this accelerator enables us to build on the success of our current semiconductor offerings. By expanding our capacity, we can strengthen the state’s growing talent pipeline while preparing our students for high-demand, high-skill jobs.”
What’s New
Housed at GWCC’s Central City campus, the state-of-the-art fab lab facility marks the newest Future48 Workforce Accelerator planned for the state. MCCCD will receive $5 million from the governor’s office to provide critical wraparound services for working students. The ACA will contribute an additional $15 million for infrastructure, equipment, and curriculum development. Industry leaders Intel, TSMC, and NXP partnered in the facility’s design and training focus.
The epicenter for semiconductor training will feature a full-size mock clean room with 11 customizable modular stations, providing students with hands-on experience in semiconductor processing, including cleaning, probing, photolithography, and automated handling, as well as maintenance, programming, and integration using robotic applications and industry devices. The facility will complement the system’s Automated Industrial Technology and Manufacturing Production Technology certificate and degree programs in order to train the next generation of Fab Floor Process Technicians and Maintenance Repair Technicians, among other professions.
“America’s manufacturing resurgence is happening right here across Arizona,” stated Governor Hobbs during the press conference announcing the Future48 Workforce Accelerator. “Synchronizing the needs of industry with our workforce development is so critical, and our education partners have also been incredibly critical in these efforts.”
Why it Matters
Arizona’s advanced manufacturing industry is experiencing remarkable growth. The expansion has created a need for skilled workers requiring postsecondary credentials beyond a high school diploma. Gov. Hobbs established the Future48 Workforce Accelerators to bridge the gap between education and career by collaborating with Arizona’s community colleges and industry partners to train the state’s workforce for high-wage, high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing.
Semiconductors are Arizona’s second-ranked export at $3.5 billion, making the state the second-strongest semiconductor hub in the U.S. As a result, the state’s semiconductor industry ranks No. 1 for its innovation, workforce development, and planned investments. By 2030, the industry’s workforce is projected to increase by nearly 115,000 jobs. As the largest provider of workforce training in the state, MCCCD plays a key role in ensuring students are equipped with the skills and training needed to meet the demands of the expanding advanced manufacturing sector.
“The investment in this accelerator allows us to more quickly offer the latest in advanced manufacturing training, equipping students to be employable while providing necessary support services, including transportation, counseling, and tutoring to ensure success along their journey,” said Dr. Amy Diaz, GWCC President.
About the Future48 Workforce Accelerators
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are supported by a $30 million investment from the ACA to build six new advanced manufacturing training facilities across the state in partnership with local community colleges.
Learn more at maricopa.edu/industry.
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Media Contact:
Lindsey Wilson, lindsey.wilson@domail.maricopa.edu, (480) 703-8378
Mel Valenzuela, mel.valenzuela@domail.maricopa.edu, (480) 298-5364
About GateWay Community College
As one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, GateWay Community College is a fully accredited public institution of higher education located in Phoenix, with five campuses and sites in Surprise. Offering more than 160 certificate and associate degree programs in the areas of Automotive, Business and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Industrial Technology, Nursing and University Transfer, GateWay has emerged as a leading institution to meet the needs of business and industry. Visit www.gatewaycc.edu or call 602-286-8000 for more information. Locations: Central City Campus (1245 E. Buckeye Road); Deer Valley (2931 W. Bell Road); SouthWest Skill Center (3000 N. Dysart Road); Washington Campus (108 N. 40th Street) and GateWay at18th Street (555 N. 18th Street).
About Maricopa Community Colleges
The Maricopa County Community College District includes ten individually-accredited colleges – GateWay, Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain – and the Maricopa Corporate College, serving approximately 140,000 students with bachelor’s degrees, two-year degrees, certificates, and university transfer programs. Visit www.maricopa.edu to learn more.