The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), in conjunction with Pinal County, Central Arizona College and LG Energy Solution, officially opened the Future48 Workforce Accelerator, a new technical training center specializing in the battery industry.
The accelerator, located in Pinal County, is part of a statewide initiative to strengthen job training in strategic sectors and will provide hands-on training for individuals interested in joining the state’s growing battery manufacturing industry. The program is led by professionals from LG Energy Solution, who will provide instruction in processes and technologies applied to the production of cylindrical batteries, oriented primarily to the electric vehicle market.
The opening ceremony was attended by state and local officials, representatives of the South Korean company, Central Arizona College officials, as well as educational and business leaders. Among them were Sandra Watson, president and CEO of ACA; Pinal County Supervisors; Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley; and LG Energy Solution Arizona officials.
During the event, LG Energy Solution presented progress on the construction of its Queen Creek plant, where it will manufacture next-generation 46-series cylindrical batteries for international automakers. It is expected that part of the workforce trained at the new facility will be incorporated into this plant once it begins operations.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs noted that these types of initiatives are part of a larger effort to boost economic development and create good-paying jobs in the state. Central Arizona College President Jackie Elliott underscored the importance of the accelerator in expanding educational opportunities related to advanced manufacturing.
The new center is located on Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain campus in Apache Junction and features 19,850 square feet of space designed to offer specialized training in battery manufacturing. The infrastructure includes simulation technology, industrial equipment and industrial safety modules.
This is the second Future48 accelerator in Arizona. The first, Drive48, opened in 2021 in Coolidge, with a focus on automotive assembly. Both are part of the state’s plan to develop local talent and support Arizona’s consolidation as an advanced manufacturing hub in the United States.
According to LG Energy Solution, approximately 1,500 jobs are projected to be created by 2027 as part of its operations in the region.
