MESA — A new $6.4 million Future48 center built to prepare as many as 1,000 students annually for aerospace and defense jobs opened this week at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, KTAR News reported.
The 14,000-square-foot center, funded by the Arizona Commerce Authority, sits on the college’s Williams campus beside Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Gov. Katie Hobbs attended the ribbon-cutting and said it reflects Arizona’s ability to bring education, industry and government together to create real career pathways.
Hobbs pointed to the state’s long military aviation history, from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, and said the growing industry needs more trained workers.
The college’s industry advisory board worked with 16 local companies and other experts so the equipment and coursework match what graduates will use on the job. Valerie Jones, vice chancellor for workforce and economic development at Maricopa Community Colleges, said students will earn credentials leading directly to high-demand careers.
Sources: KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Richard N Horne / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
