According to a recent assessment by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. semiconductor industry is grappling with a concerning workforce deficit on a national level. According to the survey, the number of employment required in the semiconductor industry are predicted to increase by 33%, from around 345,000 positions today to over 460,000 jobs by 2030. At the present degree completion rates, however, 58% (or nearly 67,000) of the expected new jobs run the risk of going unfilled. This prediction suggests that 39% of semiconductor plant technician positions could go unfilled.
Challenges in Semiconductor Workforce
The success of the American economy and the semiconductor sector depends on closing the skill gap. In order to satisfy the workforce needs of both Intel and the semiconductor industry, Intel is taking on this challenge head-on by developing customized regional programs in collaboration with nearby community colleges.
In the upcoming years, production at lntel’s new chip facilities (also known as fabs) in Ohio is anticipated to start up. The fabs will produce chips employing the most cutting-edge transistor technologies available. While supporting tens of thousands of additional local long-term jobs across a broad ecosystem of suppliers and partners, from semiconductor equipment and materials suppliers to a range of service providers, the initial phase of the Ohio project is expected to create 3,000 Intel jobs and 7,000 construction jobs.
Program for Technician Education
The majority of technician positions at semiconductor fabs have historically been filled by community college students, according to companies like Intel. However, as companies increased their investments in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and research funding for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, the focus on technician training waned over time. A good method to narrow the technician skills gap is to expand programs like certification boot camps, apprenticeships, and other training programs at community and technical institutions situated close to new and developing semiconductor fabs, according to SIA.
In the past, Intel has made local investments in technician training programs in Arizona, Oregon, and New Mexico as well as global investments in Ireland and Israel, where its significant fab production and R&D facilities are situated. Intel has reimagined the way technician education is designed in order to support the Ohio fabs by drawing important lessons from these other locales. Intel discovered that barriers to entry into a technical two-year program can include financial circumstances and confidence in one’s math and science abilities.
To solve this, community colleges in Ohio, led by Columbus State Community College, developed the first industry-wide, one-year semiconductor technician certificate program that is stackable, transferable, and shareable. The program will begin in 2023–2024 to aid in creating a talent pipeline. Columbus State Community College, Marion Technical College, Rhodes State College, North Central State College, Central Ohio Technical College, Clark State, Northwestern State, Stark State, Zane State, Owens Community College, and Lorian Community College are a few of the universities in the area. The certificate consists of three freshly created courses that are closely linked with Intel’s list of minimal technical requirements for entry-level technician positions (as indicated below).
Introduction to Manufacturing, Semiconductor 101, and Vacuum Systems are a few of the new courses. The one-year certificate program’s courses include math and science information integrated into them rather than being provided separately, which effectively removes the confidence hurdle. Additionally, the one-year certificate program is connected with those offered at technical centers, community colleges, and undergraduate universities, enabling students to transfer their credits for the technician certificate without any hassle. Furthermore, the financial load on students is lessened by condensing the essential abilities into a one-year program. With these modifications, Intel intends to broaden the program’s student base, which will be advantageous to the semiconductor sector as a whole.
Intel shared a comprehensive list of competencies that would be ideal for an entry-level technician with the collaborating institutions. The one-year certificate program was developed by the institutes after an evaluation of the existing curricula and courses.
Basic technical abilities:
- Hand tool fundamentals: Knowledge of the correct and safe use of hand tools, including as torque wrenches, drivers, Allen keys, wrenches, and digital voltmeters (DVMs), that are frequently used in preventative and corrective maintenance at semiconductor facilities.
- Understanding how mechanical systems work and interpreting mechanical schematics are necessary for mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and vacuum systems. Knowing the fundamentals of electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic actuation as well as how vacuum systems function in the production of semiconductors.
- Math: The capacity to use mathematical techniques to support semiconductor statistics, building and repair, and troubleshooting.
- Electronics knowledge and electrical fundamentals: Capability to handle electrical systems safely. To troubleshoot and rewire defective components, it is necessary to read electrical schematics in order to follow the wiring from one component to the next. use DVMs to check a system’s zero-voltage.
- Understanding the many chemical kinds (acids, bases, hazardous, and flammables) in a fabrication environment, as well as how appropriate personal protection equipment, procedures, and safety systems can reduce risk.
Professional abilities comprise:
- Understanding of the semiconductor fabrication industry, including flaws, contamination, process flow, tools, and operations; safety (including electrical safety, working with chemicals/gases, and lockout tagout procedures); lean manufacturing, hand tools, and cleanroom gowning.
- Reading, writing, researching, group involvement, computer literacy, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are all examples of communication skills. Technical and professional writing, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, documenting, and group engagement are also examples.
- Understanding troubleshooting methods for model-based issue-solving concepts is key to problem solving and critical thinking.
To ensure that the American workforce is prepared for a new era in semiconductor manufacturing, Intel is working with the National Science Foundation on two programs, Enhancing Engineering Technology and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Technician Education (ETSTE) and Future of Semiconductors (FuSe), in addition to the technician certification programs developed by the Intel Semiconductor Education and Research Program.
In addition to the direct investments mentioned above, Intel collaborates with educational institutions locally and nationally to offer additional certifications, modules, classes, and micro-credential programs to support talent from bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs.
