Intel launches apprenticeship program to combat semiconductor labor shortage – TechSpot
What just happened? It’s no secret that the semiconductor industry is facing a major worker shortage, especially when it comes to skilled technicians. As such, Intel is taking matters into its own hands with the launch of a new apprenticeship program aimed at training the next generation of facility technicians.
The initiative, kicking off in Arizona in collaboration with state workforce groups and community colleges, will see Intel train hundreds of apprentice technicians over the next five years. It sounds like a great deal for the apprentices; they become full-time Intel employees on day one and earn a certificate (plus college credits) after completing the intensive one-year program.
Intel is probably going this route because it knows that traditional hiring tactics just won’t cut it anymore when there’s such a dire shortage of qualified technicians. Analysis from the Semiconductor Industry Association projects nearly 115,000 new semiconductor jobs will be created by 2030, but a whopping 58% of those roles risk going unfilled if nothing changes.
Almost 40% of those potential vacancies are projected to be technician roles requiring certificates or two-year degrees. Apprenticeships provide a direct pipeline to fill those gaps by giving people valuable on-the-job training along with targeted classroom instruction. In the Arizona program, enrollees will be immersed in the fundamentals of working as a facility tech, including hand-tool basics, electrical basics, handling of chemicals and gases, communications skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
While Arizona is the only location for now, Intel has indicated the possibility of expanding the apprenticeship initiative to other states. The company says workforce development pathways like this are crucial for creating an inclusive and skilled labor pool to power their “life-changing technology.”
Back in March, Intel received $8.5 billion in direct funding as part of the CHIPS Act. Not long after, the company unveiled a massive $100 billion plan to construct new fabs and supercharge existing sites nationwide.
However, getting these facilities up and staffed is easier said than done. Across the country, huge chipmaking construction projects by Samsung, TSMC, Intel, and others are facing massive delays. Take TSMC’s $40 billion Arizona megaproject for instance, which has been pushed back to 2025 for the first phase, with the second fab now not expected to be operational until 2027 or 2028. The main culprit is the lack of local expertise. Initiatives like the one by Intel may help close this gap.
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