Workforce Development

Delivering on the national security and economic objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act demands major investments in the semiconductor workforce. Aligned with the strategic pillars outlined in America’s Talent Strategy: Equipping American Workers for the Golden Age, workforce development is a priority across both the CHIPS Incentives and Research and Development programs.

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Specifically, the CHIPS Act investments will build a domestic semiconductor workforce by:

• Investing in Manufacturing Facilities: Provide funding for the construction, expansion, and modernization of manufacturing facilities which will create new job opportunities for construction workers, technicians, engineers, and other occupations at multiple skill levels.  
• Promote collaboration between education and training providers and the semiconductor industry. Ensure that education and training programs are aligned with industry needs and that students are well-prepared to fill in-demand roles.  Encourage the scaling of Registered Apprenticeships and other work-based learning models.
• Supporting Semiconductor Education and Training: Support semiconductor-related skills development throughout the entire education and training system—from career technical education programs through community colleges and universities. Provide experiential and practical learning opportunities for students and researchers. Offer supportive services to improve access to education and training opportunities for all Americans.
• Fueling Research and Development: Increased funding for semiconductor R&D will lead to the discovery and development of new products and technologies. This will help to create more job opportunities and help to attract more workers to the field.  

The CHIPS Act offers a unique and historic opportunity to expand the nation’s capacity for semiconductor production as well as to prepare the American workforce for good jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering.

The success of CHIPS for America will require collaboration between businesses, governments, education and training providers, economic and workforce development organizations, unions, community-based organizations, and other supporting organizations to help recruit, train, hire, and retain a highly-skilled semiconductor and construction workforce. By investing in workforce development as a key economic and national security strategy, CHIPS for America is securing American prosperity and innovation for decades to come.