TSMC Arizona’s Phoenix campus is rapidly expanding, bringing thousands of quality jobs to the Valley. However, Arizona and the U.S. are facing a widening workforce gap in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry. Nationally, SIA and the Boston Consulting group predict a shortage of 67,000 technicians, computer scientists, and engineers in the semiconductor industry by 2030 and a gap of 1.4 million such workers throughout the broader U.S. economy. Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem has responded to these challenges by investing in local talent with workforce development programming that will strengthen Arizona’s economy and help secure the nation’s technology supply chain.
Pipeline Initiatives
In order to reshore semiconductor manufacturing to the U.S., students need to be aware of opportunities in the semiconductor industry. Shan Strategies spoke with Axios Phoenix about the importance of getting “the word out better among students and their parents” as well as supporting teachers with continued learning opportunities such as summer externships, which will allow them to bring skills to students.
In support of building the state’s K-12 pipeline, last November, West-MEC broke ground on an advanced manufacturing and welding building that will allow high schoolers to receive hands-on technician training. Additionally, TSMC and Deer Valley Unified School District partnered to introduce students to semiconductors by sending engineers into classrooms. TSMC Arizona also held a booth at ASU Preparatory Academy’s Semiconductor Adventure Day last week. These types of career awareness programs will motivate students to consider working within the semiconductor industry whether they pursue degrees, credentials, or certificates.
Lee, a new hire at TSMC, and his wife, a teacher at ASU Preparatory Academy, volunteered at TSMC’s booth for Semiconductor Adventure Day.
Earlier this month, TSMC Arizona president Rose Castanares appeared on Arizona Horizon and discussed the company’s technician training opportunities, which offer supported onramps for people into the semiconductor industry. In partnership with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa Community Colleges (Estrella Mountain Community College and Rio Salado College), and Northern Arizona University and with support from Arizona Commerce Authority, Semi Foundation and NIICA, these programs offer paid training for four technician roles: facilities, equipment, and process technician apprenticeships as well as a manufacturing specialist intensive led by Grand Canyon University, which is currently open for applications.
TSMC Arizona president Rose Castanares is interviewed by Ted Simons on Arizona Horizon about technician recruitment at TSMC.
Federal Support
TSMC’s work in Arizona has attracted national support. A few weeks ago, on the 100th day of the Trump Administration, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visited TSMC Arizona to see active work on the third fab which had recently broken ground. Secretary Lutnick’s visit highlighted the administration’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and American-made semiconductors, and signaled that the new administration will continue their support for CHIPS funding. We will continue to provide timely updates as TSMC Arizona’s CHIPS workforce convener.