Arizona’s Drive48 Boosts Workforce with New Training Centers

Arizona’s Drive48: Pioneering Workforce Development in Automotive Assembly

In a bold move to enhance workforce development, Arizona has unveiled Drive48, an automotive assembly training center that has already trained over 2,000 employees of Lucid Motors since its inception in 2021. This initiative is a joint effort involving the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and local government and industry leaders.

Governor Doug Ducey, along with other local dignitaries, marked the opening of this facility in March 2021, signaling the state’s commitment to creating high-tech job opportunities. Drive48’s mission is to equip workers with the necessary skills to thrive in the evolving automotive industry.

Voices from Drive48

Participants have expressed their enthusiasm and satisfaction with the training they receive at Drive48. Vicente Procela remarked, “Casa Grande has never seen nothing like this. Pinal County has never seen nothing like this. It’s a great opportunity for a lot of people.” He added, “It makes me fulfilled coming home. I’ve done something at work rather than clocking in and clocking out. I’m accomplishing something I get to share with my son. I get to tell him I’m going to school which he is kind of shocked about.“

Another participant, Fernando Perez, noted, “My son seeing that I’m going to college, at the age I am, gives him a better perspective. It’s a great experience to be a role model for my family, my children to see it’s never too late to pursue something that they want to do in life.“

With the success of Drive48, Governor Ducey has pledged $30 million to establish six more advanced manufacturing training centers throughout Arizona. These centers will focus on fostering industry partnerships in sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and batteries, ensuring that the state’s workforce remains competitive.

To discover more about Drive48 and its offerings, visit azcommerce.com.