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By Asma Adhimi
The SEMI Foundation and the National Science Foundation have launched the first four regional nodes of the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), a nationwide effort aimed at tackling the growing semiconductor workforce shortage in the US.
The initiative, backed by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) and aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act, brings together more than 325 organizations spanning education, workforce development, economic agencies and semiconductor companies.
For eeNews Europe readers, the announcement highlights how the US is building long-term semiconductor talent infrastructure at a time when Europe is facing similar workforce and skills shortages across the chip supply chain. It also underlines the increasing importance of industry-led education partnerships as global semiconductor expansion accelerates.
The first phase of the NNME includes four regional hubs covering large parts of the US semiconductor ecosystem.
The Southwest node, led by the Arizona Commerce Authority, will support Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Boise State University leads the Pacific Intermountain node, which spans Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California and Hawaii.
Meanwhile, NY Creates will head the Northeast node, covering 12 states including New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, while the University of Texas at Austin will lead the South node.
Under the NNME framework, each regional node could receive up to $20m in funding over five years to support workforce development and training programmes tailored to semiconductor industry demand.
“America’s ability to lead in semiconductors depends on whether we can build and sustain the workforce needed to power innovation here at home,” said Senator Todd Young. “The National Network for Microelectronics Education represents the kind of national, industry-connected workforce strategy needed to strengthen America’s competitiveness, expand opportunity, and prepare the next generation of talent for high-demand careers in microelectronics and advanced manufacturing.”
The programme comes as semiconductor manufacturing investments continue to rise across the US, creating pressure on hiring pipelines for engineers, technicians and manufacturing specialists.
According to a recent analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey & Company, the US could face a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor and microelectronics workers by 2030.
“The launch of these Regional Nodes constitutes the activation of national infrastructure built to meet the most consequential economic and technological challenge of our time,” said Shari Liss, Vice President of Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI and the SEMI Foundation.
The NNME will focus on workforce development across semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, facilities operations, equipment maintenance, IC design and materials technologies. Industry partners are expected to play a direct role in shaping training programmes, validating skills and supporting work-based learning.
“Micron is proud to support the NNME and excited about what this network means for the future of American workers,” said April Arnzen, EVP and Chief People Officer at Micron Technology. “Building the semiconductor workforce our country needs isn’t something any one company or institution can do alone.”
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