In Pinal County, Arizona, students are discovering more than just job training—they’re finding life-changing opportunities.
“I definitely feel fulfilled coming home—like I’ve accomplished something meaningful at work,” said Vicente Procela, one of thousands of students enrolled at Drive48, a groundbreaking public-private training facility.
A first-of-its-kind collaboration between industry, government, and academia, Drive48 has earned national recognition for its innovative workforce development model. At the facility, students receive hands-on training in automotive manufacturing from instructors based at Lucid Motors, a luxury electric vehicle manufacturer with an advanced assembly plant nearby.
Inside the main training room, students work with the same high-tech robots used on Lucid’s production line, learning programming, maintenance, safety, and systems operations. Smaller “dojo” rooms offer focused, small-group instruction in part assembly, tooling, and more.
“My son seeing me go to college at my age gives him a new perspective,” said Fernando Perez, another Drive48 student.
More than 3,000 students have completed training at Drive48. Its success has inspired a statewide network of advanced manufacturing training centers.
To date, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), in partnership with industry and community colleges, has launched six training centers across Coolidge, Apache Junction, Yuma, Kingman, Phoenix, and Gilbert. These centers support high-demand industries such as automotive, batteries, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. A seventh facility is in development in Tucson, in collaboration with Pima Community College.
Aligned Training Solutions
These training centers build on initiatives like the Arizona Advanced Technology Network (AATN), a partnership led by the ACA with community colleges and local manufacturers. AATN delivers a unified, industry-recognized curriculum designed to equip students with 21st-century manufacturing skills.
The program supports stackable certificates and degrees in Advanced Industrial Technology, preparing students to operate, monitor, and maintain automated electro-mechanical systems used in modern manufacturing and distribution.
“Our job is to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate industry needs five and ten years down the road,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Arizona is pioneering workforce solutions to meet the needs of the world’s most advanced industry leaders—and we’re doing it at scale.”
Modeling Work-Based Learning
To meet evolving workforce needs, many employers are turning to work-based learning models—such as internships, externships, and apprenticeships—that provide students with real-world experience.
In Spring 2024, the ACA and the SEMI Foundation launched Arizona’s first coordinated semiconductor apprenticeship initiative: the Semi Career and Apprenticeship Network in Arizona (SEMI SCAN AZ).
The program now includes four Registered Apprenticeship Programs and one pre-apprenticeship, supporting six cohorts and 83 apprentices. Outreach efforts have reached more than 18,000 K–12 students, 1,325 workers and families, and 335 members of the military community.
Another standout initiative is ElevateEDAZ, led by the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation with support from the ACA and statewide partners. ElevateEDAZ promotes dual enrollment, job shadowing, and career and technical education (CTE) pathways to help students earn industry-recognized credentials and early postsecondary credit while gaining hands-on experience.
In 2024, ElevateEDAZ expanded to 20 schools across five districts and one charter network, reaching an estimated 43,000 students.
The Gold Standard
Arizona’s workforce pipeline is powered by its rapidly growing population. Maricopa County ranked as the fastest-growing county in the U.S. in 2023, and Arizona was the fifth fastest-growing state in 2022. Maricopa County has also led the nation in talent attraction and retention for four consecutive years. Between 2018 and 2022, Arizona ranked among the top three states for workforce and top five for skilled job growth.
With innovative talent programs and a booming population, Arizona offers a competitive edge no other state can match. As talent becomes the top priority for manufacturers, Arizona continues to set the gold standard in workforce development.
For more information on Arizona’s workforce advantages, visit: https://www.future48.com.