Maricopa Community College has teamed up with Intel to provide a ten-day course that will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue entry-level positions as semiconductor technicians. The course, which costs $270, is aimed at familiarizing students with various processes, materials, and techniques employed in the characterization and fabrication of semiconductor chips and microelectronic components. The program will also teach students how to apply ethical and professional standards within the field of micro-and nanotechnology.
Partnership with Intel
Intel is planning to build two chip factories in Maricopa County in the coming years, which will create around 6,000 jobs in semiconductor manufacturing for the state. The intensive 10-day course is part of a plan to provide skilled workers for these factories. According to a report by Yahoo Finance, Arizona is slowly becoming a semiconductor manufacturing hub, with TSMC also building a second factory in the state, bringing in even more jobs.
The skills taught in the course include the ability to compare and contrast various types of patterning processes, nanotechnology manufacturing processes, and product and research trends in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The course will also examine safety procedures and equipment used in the nanotechnology industry, classification procedures for materials in the nanotechnology industry, and properties of colloids and self-assembly materials.
Upon completion of the program, students can apply the credits earned towards an advanced engineering degree or take an examination to obtain their certification. Since the certifications obtained through the program do not expire, students will meet the requirements whenever the jobs appear, but at this point, it’s not clear when that will be.
Maricopa College says that Chipmakers are projected to need more than 20,000 new workers in the coming years. There are already 700 students who have completed the program, and there’s currently a waiting list to enroll. The interim Dean of Maricopa Community College, Tom Pearson, told Yahoo that since the factories are still being built, job placement for graduates sits at under 20%, and employment isn’t sure a thing once those jobs are available.
In 2022, the average annual salary for a semiconductor technician was roughly $50K a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The course tuition is only $270, and thanks to government grants, in-state students can take the course for free.
Arizona isn’t the only state becoming a hotbed for US semiconductor manufacturing: Intel is building a $20 billion chip factory in Ohio that President Biden called a “game changer.” The CHIPS and Science Act that was passed last year is a big driver of that new action, with over $50b in subsidies for companies producing and manufacturing semiconductors on US soil.
The partnership between Maricopa Community College and Intel is a significant step towards building a skilled workforce for semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona. The course’s affordability, government grants, and long-term certifications make it an attractive option for students looking to pursue a career in this field. The state’s growing reputation as a hub for semiconductor manufacturing is also a positive development, with more job opportunities expected to arise in the coming years.
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