FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South32, the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District (Santa Cruz Center) and Pima Community College today welcomed the inaugural class of 10 students – all from Santa Cruz County – plus three Rio Rico High School CTE dual enrollment grads to the Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) program. The program expands access to high-demand technical training through Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’ ReadyTechGo workforce initiative.
The new program, which officially kicked off during a welcome ceremony, prepares students for careers operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the advanced automated systems increasingly used across today's manufacturing and industrial facilities. As automation, robotics and digital technologies become standard across industries, graduates will gain skills that are in demand throughout Arizona’s growing manufacturing economy.
South32 fully funded the program, covering tuition and program costs for every student while also investing in classroom equipment needed to bring the curriculum to the Santa Cruz Center.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for Nogales and Santa Cruz County. From day one, it has been my priority to make sure that as the Grand Canyon State leads the nation in exciting new industries, and that these industries are centered on opportunities for Arizonans,” Governor Katie Hobbs said in prerecorded remarks shared during the ceremony. “To do this, we must have post-secondary education pathways that help Arizonans prepare for these jobs. Programs like ReadyTechGo are opening doors to careers that offer stability, advancement, and good-paying wages. I want to thank Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College, Pima Community College, and South32 Hermosa for their partnership to offer this program in the heart of this community. I also want to recognize South32 for your investment in local students and commitment to creating hundreds of quality job opportunities in Santa Cruz County in the years ahead.”
“Mining is changing, and so are the skills needed to build and operate modern facilities,” said Pat Risner, President of South32 Hermosa. “At Hermosa, we'll rely on advanced technologies, automation and remote operations to improve safety, efficiency and decision-making. Through this program, we’re helping local students develop technical skills that will be valuable not only at Hermosa, but across Arizona's growing advanced manufacturing economy.”
The Automated Industrial Technology program builds on the successful partnership between South32, Santa Cruz Center and Pima Community College, which recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Electrician Certificate Program. The success of the first cohort has led to a second cohort of 16 students beginning now as well. Together, the two programs are expanding educational opportunities while creating a local pipeline of skilled workers for careers in the trades, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
While developed in partnership with South32 Hermosa, the skills taught through the Automated Industrial Technology program extend well beyond mining. Graduates will be prepared for careers in advanced manufacturing, industrial operations, food processing, utilities, logistics and other sectors that increasingly rely on automation, robotics and digital technologies.
South32’s investment in workforce development reflects the company’s long-term commitment to ensuring Santa Cruz County residents are positioned to benefit from new economic opportunities created by Hermosa and the region’s broader industrial growth, including a goal of hiring 80% of the workforce from Santa Cruz County.
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About South32 Hermosa
Located in a historic mining district in the Patagonia Mountains of Southern Arizona, South32 Hermosa is currently the only advanced mine development project in the United States that could produce up to five federally designated critical minerals — including zinc and manganese — both of which are essential minerals for powering the nation’s energy future. Learn more at www.south32hermosa.com. Hermosa is a polymetallic development comprised of a zinc-lead-silver sulfide deposit, a battery-grade manganese deposit and an extensive, highly prospective land package with the potential for further polymetallic and copper mineralization.
Media relations
Lina Betancourt
+1 514-210-1822
Lina.Betancourt@south32.net
