The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and GateWay Community College (GWCC), in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), have launched 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, in a press release announcing the project. “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.”

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, which has campuses in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, 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, according to the press release.

“America’s manufacturing resurgence is happening right here across Arizona,” said Governor Hobbs during a 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.”

Learn more at maricopa.edu/industry.