MESA, AZ (October 6, 2026) – Today, Maricopa Community Colleges and Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) joined Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), and industry partners to officially celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Arizona’s first-of-its-kind Aerospace & Defense-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Mesa, Arizona. 

  

“The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are a model of what Arizona does best: bringing together education, industry and government to build real pathways to opportunity,” said Governor Hobbs. “The aerospace and defense Accelerator will strengthen Arizona’s workforce, supporting the state’s position as a national aerospace and defense leader, preparing students for high-tech careers in Arizona’s rapidly-growing aerospace industry.” 

  

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the epicenter for Arizona’s aerospace manufacturing training, serving nearly 1,000 students annually. With a $6.4 million investment from the ACA, the renovated 14,058-square-foot facility is now ready to welcome students. The space houses dedicated classrooms, labs, and skills-based, hands-on training areas. CGCC is providing students with opportunities to develop industry-relevant skills and gain practical experience. The college will be able to expand its aviation program offerings to directly support Arizona’s growing aerospace manufacturing industry and the demand for skilled workers in composites, structures, and mechanical assembly.  

  

“This accelerator is a prime example of what happens when government, industry, and education work together to build the future of work,” said Dr. Steven Bloomberg, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “By learning in spaces that mimic real-world environments, our students become fluent in the areas and skills that our business and industry partners are seeking. As a regional catalyst for workforce development, we are proud of the role we play in strengthening Arizona’s growing aerospace and defense talent pipeline.”  

 

“The opening of the aerospace and defense accelerator represents an exciting milestone built on years of collaboration and a shared commitment to strengthening Arizona’s workforce,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs, Maricopa Community Colleges, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and all of our industry partners including Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing, Gulfstream, and more for their collaboration and support.” 

 

The accelerator builds on CGCC’s existing training in composites and sheet metal. To ensure programmatic offerings align with real-world workforce needs, the college established the Business & Industry Advisory Leadership Team (BILT) Advisory Board, which includes college leaders and 16 industry partners. Through the BILT Advisory Board, the college is actively working with employers to develop additional skill-based classes and certificates in precision measurement and avionics, giving students more ways to enter the industry and continue their education as they grow in their careers. 

 

“CGCC appreciates the support of the Governor’s Office and the ACA in the launch of the Aerospace & Defense Workforce Accelerator,” said Dr. CJ Wurster, President of CGCC. “Our college is well positioned to meet the needs of our industry partners now and into the future, and this investment will support economic and workforce development for years to come. Our talented faculty and staff have been working closely with our partners to create curriculum and offerings that will teach the skills needed in the aerospace and defense workforce. This is an exciting time to be at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and the future of our region is very bright.”   

 

Background on the Aerospace and Defense Accelerator

On February 19, 2025, Maricopa Community Colleges, Gov. Hobbs, and the ACA announced that CGCC’s Williams campus would be home to the system’s second Future48 Workforce Accelerator. CGCC has over 30 years of experience offering aircraft maintenance and aviation training and working closely with industry leaders to meet workforce needs. Additionally, the Williams campus is close to Mesa Gateway Airport—over 60 companies operate from the airport, including manufacturing giants Boeing, Virgin Galactic, Garmin, and Gulfstream Aerospace. 

  

About the Future48 Workforce Accelerators 

The six Future48 Workforce Accelerators across Arizona are supported by a $30 million investment from the ACA. Through a partnership between the ACA, four Arizona community college districts, and industries, each Future48 facility offers customized training for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, battery manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and semiconductors. The state-of-the-art workforce accelerators are located in Mesa, Phoenix, Apache Junction, Yuma, Kingman, and Tucson. 

  

To learn how Maricopa Community Colleges is transforming the aerospace and defense manufacturing industry HERE. 

Media Contacts

Lindsey Wilson, Maricopa Community Colleges, lindsey.wilson@domail.maricopa.edu

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.