By Cameron Mortensen, Policy Director
We continue to see awards and progress in the semiconductor industry and its workforce development, and have summarized recent announcements below. To learn more about the CHIPS for America Workforce Development strategy and programs, please follow this link.
New Training and Workforce Development Initiatives
The NSF and Micron Foundation have announced an expanded funding opportunity through the NSF ExLENT program, offering up to $1 million over three years to support hands-on learning in emerging technologies. This initiative focuses on developing workforce capabilities in advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, and biotechnology through cross-sector partnerships.
Major Manufacturing Investments
The Biden-Harris Administration has made several significant CHIPS incentives awards to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing:
- Intel received funding to enhance U.S. leading-edge chip capacity, expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs
- BAE Systems, Inc. and Rocket Lab secured awards to expand chip production critical for national security and space industry applications
- TSMC Arizona received funding to advance U.S. leadership in advanced semiconductor technology
Research and Development Initiatives
The Department of Commerce is pursuing several strategic investments in semiconductor research and development:
- Up to $300 million for advanced packaging research projects across three locations:
- Absolics Inc. (Georgia)
- Applied Materials Inc. (California)
- Arizona State University (Arizona)
- $285 million negotiation with Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) to establish a new Manufacturing USA institute in Durham, North Carolina
The Presidents Forum has made nominations to the Natcast Workforce Advisory Board and we anxiously await an announcement on appointments to that board.
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