The future of the semiconductor industry
depends on the education of students, and Intel is working to make
sure those students are ready.
The following is an opinion editorial by Gabriela Cruz Thompson,
senior director of University Research and Collaboration at Intel
Labs.
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the full release here:
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Intel is addressing the semiconductor
workforce shortage by creating the industry’s first stackable,
shareable and transferable one-year semiconductor technician
certificate program. The program launches in 2023-24 to help build
the talent pipeline. Colleges include 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. (Credit: Intel
Corporation)
The U.S. semiconductor industry is facing a troubling workforce
gap nationwide, highlighted in a recent report by the Semiconductor
Industry Association (SIA). The report says the workforce needed in
the semiconductor industry is expected to grow 33% from
approximately 345,000 jobs today to approximately 460,000 jobs by
2030. However, 58% (or roughly 67,000) of projected new jobs risk
being unfilled at current degree completion rates. Based on this
forecast, 39% of chip factory technician jobs may remain
vacant.
Closing the talent gap is critical to the success of the U.S.
economy and the semiconductor industry. Intel is facing this
challenge head-on by creating specific regional programs in
partnership with local community colleges to meet Intel’s and the
semiconductor industry’s workforce needs.
More: Intel Invests in Ohio (Press Kit) | Intel Invests
in Ohio Education (Fact Sheet)
Production at Intel’s new chip factories (also known as fabs) in
Ohio is expected to come online in the next several years. The fabs
will deliver chips using the industry’s most advanced transistor
technologies. The initial phase of the Ohio project is expected to
create 3,000 Intel jobs and 7,000 construction jobs, 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.
Educational Program for Technicians
Over the years, semiconductor companies like Intel have relied
on community college students to fill a large portion of technician
jobs at fabs, but the emphasis on technician training waned over
the years as companies invested more in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) education and research funding for
bachelor, master and Ph.D. programs. Increasing programs such as
certification boot camps, apprenticeships and other training
programs at community and technical colleges located near new and
expanding semiconductor fabs is an effective way to help close the
workforce gap for technicians, SIA found.
Historically, Intel has invested regionally in technician
programs in Arizona, Oregon and New Mexico, and internationally in
Ireland and Israel where its large fab manufacturing and research
and development facilities are located. To support the Ohio fabs,
Intel has taken key lessons from these other regions to reinvent
the way technician education is developed. Intel learned that
financial situations and confidence in math and science skills can
be a barrier to students entering a technical two-year program.
To address this, community colleges in Ohio, led by Columbus
State Community College, created the industry’s first stackable,
shareable and transferable one-year semiconductor technician
certificate program. The program launches in 2023-24 to help build
the talent pipeline. Colleges include 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. The certificate includes
three newly developed courses that are well aligned with the
minimum technical skills required for an entry-level technician
position outlined by Intel.
The new courses include Introduction to Manufacturing,
Semiconductor 101 and Vacuum Systems. Rather than offering classes
separately, the math and science content is embedded in the courses
offered in the one-year certificate program, effectively removing
the confidence barrier. In addition, the one-year certificate
program is integrated with technical centers, community college
programs and undergraduate university programs, allowing students
to seamlessly transfer technician certificate credits. Furthermore,
by concentrating the key skills into a one-year program, the
financial burden on students is reduced. With these changes, Intel
hopes the program will attract a more diverse group of students,
which benefits the semiconductor industry as a whole.
Intel delivered a consolidated list of skills that would be
desirable for an entry-level technician and shared it across the
institutes participating in the program. The institutes evaluated
existing courses and curriculum and created the one-year
certificate program.
Key technical skills:
- Hand tool basics: Familiarity with the proper and safe
use of hand tools commonly used in preventive and corrective
maintenance at semiconductor factories, including torque wrenches,
drivers, Allen keys, wrenches and digital voltmeters (DVMs).
- Mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulics and vacuum systems:
Understanding how mechanical systems function, as well as reading
mechanical schematics. Understanding basic types of actuation, such
as pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical, as well as knowing how
vacuum systems work in semiconductor manufacturing.
- Math: Ability to apply math skills to aid in
troubleshooting, building/fixing and statistics in
semiconductors.
- Electrical basics and electronics: Ability to safely
work around electrical systems. Reading electrical schematics to
trace the wiring from one component to the next for troubleshooting
and rewiring bad components. Utilizing DVMs to perform a zero-volt
check of a system.
- Chemicals and gases: Understanding the different types
of chemicals (acids, bases, toxic and flammables) in a fab
environment and how appropriate personal protective equipment,
procedures and safety systems can mitigate risk.
Professional skills include:
- Industry knowledge: Knowledge about semiconductor
fabrication (defects, contamination, process flow, tools and
operations), safety (working with chemicals/gases, electrical
safety and lockout tagout practices), lean manufacturing, hand
tools and cleanroom gowning.
- Communication skills: Technical and professional
writing, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening and
documenting, group participation, reading, drafting, researching
skills, computer literacy and International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) standards.
- Problem solving and critical thinking: Understand
troubleshooting techniques for model-based problem-solving
concepts.
In addition to the technician certification programs created by
the Intel Semiconductor Education and Research Program, Intel is
also collaborating with the National Science Foundation in two
programs: Enhancing Engineering Technology and Advanced
Semiconductor Manufacturing Technician Education (ETSTE) and Future
of Semiconductors (FuSe) to ensure the U.S. workforce is ready for
a new era in semiconductor manufacturing.
Besides the direct investments discussed above, Intel works with
and relies on educational collaborators to offer other
certificates, modules, classes and micro-credential programs both
locally and across the U.S. to foster talent from bachelor's,
master's and Ph.D. programs. Potential entry-level semiconductor
technicians and process engineers can learn more about
opportunities in Ohio and at other Intel facilities across the
U.S.
About Intel
Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating
world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches
lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the
design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our
customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the
cloud, network, edge and every kind of computing device, we unleash
the potential of data to transform business and society for the
better. To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to
newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.
© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo and other Intel marks
are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other
names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Laura Stadler 1-619-346-1170 laura.stadler@intel.com
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