SEMI and NSF expand US microelectronics talent initiative

The SEMI Foundation and the National Science Foundation have joined forces to launch the first four regional nodes of the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the growing semiconductor workforce shortage in the United States. This collaborative effort, supported by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) and in alignment with the CHIPS and Science Act, brings together over 325 organizations from various sectors including education, workforce development, economic agencies, and semiconductor companies.

For readers of eeNews Europe, this announcement sheds light on the strategic steps being taken in the US to establish a robust semiconductor talent pipeline, a move that comes at a crucial time when Europe is also grappling with workforce and skills shortages within the chip supply chain. It underscores the increasing significance of industry-driven educational partnerships as the global semiconductor industry continues to expand rapidly.

Four regional nodes launched

The initial phase of the NNME rollout comprises four regional hubs that span key areas of the US semiconductor ecosystem. The Southwest node, spearheaded by the Arizona Commerce Authority, will cater to regions including Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Boise State University will lead the Pacific Intermountain node, which encompasses states such as Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Hawaii.

On the other hand, NY Creates will oversee the Northeast node, which covers a dozen states including New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, while the South node will be led by the University of Texas at Austin. Each regional node under the NNME framework stands to receive up to $20 million in funding over a five-year period to bolster workforce development initiatives and training programs tailored to meet the demands of the semiconductor industry.

Addressing a major talent shortage

This initiative comes at a critical juncture as investments in semiconductor manufacturing continue to surge across the US, leading to heightened pressure on recruitment pipelines for engineers, technicians, and manufacturing specialists. A recent analysis conducted by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey & Company indicates that by 2030, the US could potentially face a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor and microelectronics professionals.

Shari Liss, Vice President of Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI and the SEMI Foundation, emphasized the significance of the NNME, stating, “The launch of these Regional Nodes signifies the activation of a national infrastructure designed to tackle one of the most critical economic and technological challenges of our time.” The NNME will concentrate on enhancing workforce development across various sectors including semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, facilities operations, equipment maintenance, IC design, and materials technologies.

Industry partners are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping training programs, validating skills, and supporting work-based learning initiatives within the NNME framework. April Arnzen, EVP and Chief People Officer at Micron Technology, expressed support for the NNME, stating, “Micron is proud to be a part of the NNME and is enthusiastic about the implications this network holds for the future of American workers. Building the semiconductor workforce that our nation requires is a collective effort that no single company or institution can achieve alone.”