ACC, University of Texas to launch new semiconductor training center

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A new semiconductor training center will set up shop in Central Texas.

It's thanks to a new partnership between The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College District and Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE).

In a news release, UT said the program will "serve as a one-stop shop for an industry in need of skilled labor, creating seamless and coordinated education pathways between UT and ACC to address every skill set on the semiconductor workforce continuum, ranging from equipment technician to semiconductor engineer."

Under the partnership they will develop the following:

• A joint semiconductor training center
• Semiconductor curriculum and credentialing

"Really to help build semiconductor workforce pathways from K-12 up to PhD engineers. Sort of combining forces to make sure that we're really creating a comprehensive model for training at industry talent," said TIE's Director for Workforce Development Alyssa Reinhart.

The release said a recent report from the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oxford Economics found 67,000 new semiconductor jobs are at risk of going unfilled because of an "undersized workforce and lack of training programs."

"The semiconductor industry is a critical part of our local economy, and it’s growing."

ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart

Reinhart said the Austin region has always been a critical component of the semiconductor industry and this is a step to create a skilled talent pipeline.

"You see a lot of reports that talk about the number of technicians that are needed at the national scale, as well as your engineers and computer scientists," Reinhart said.

Reinhart said they're taking a comprehensive approach and will touch on all the positions within this field.

ACC's Associate Dean of Advanced Manufacturing Laura Marmolejo said this center will be for anyone from an entry level to research and graduate level.

"It gives a whole holistic view of how we can serve the semiconductor industry in Central Texas."

Laura Marmolejo

Marmolejo said this gives people an opportunity to make a career in this industry.

"There's a lot of career opportunities at every level. If you just want the fundamentals, you can move your way up the chain in that manner," Marmolejo said. "If you're very technical, you want to get the more challenging research based curriculum, then UT can provide all of that."

According to the release, the first training programs through the center are expected to launch as early as January 2025.

The local workforce demand

Central Texas is no stranger to semiconductor manufacturing.

In Elgin, Yerico Manufacturing broke ground on a new location in March. The company repairs and refurbishes semiconductor equipment.

Not far from there, the massive Samsung semiconductor plant located in Taylor is set to begin operations as early as July 1, according to one local leader.

"Beginning in 2025, there will be a need in Central Texas for probably anywhere from 2,100 to 3,000 technicians to staff the new Samsung plant, the NXP expansion. Tesla's coming online. They need technicians as well," CEO of Austin Regional Manufacturers Association Kevin Fincher said.

Fincher said more positions will continue to open up as more people retire from the field.

"We have had a gap for several decades where we have not been putting students into these types of programs. We have to develop that pipeline."

Kevin Fincher

Fincher said this one-of-a-kind partnership can serve as an example for the rest of the country.

"Texas is the number one exporter of semi conductors in the country," Fincher said. "We will continue to hold that title for a long time."