SEMI Foundation Invites Organizations to Join Microelectronics Workforce Initiative
The SEMI Foundation has officially opened the application process aimed at inviting organizations to participate in a groundbreaking microelectronics workforce initiative known as the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME). This nationwide initiative is significantly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) with backing from the U.S. Department of Commerce, marking a strategic move to elevate education, training, and employment pathways within the U.S. microelectronics sector.
This initiative aims to address the burgeoning talent gap in the semiconductor industry, which is critical to the technological advancement and economic growth of the United States. The SEMI Foundation plays the pivotal role of the Coordinating Hub for the NNME, a task that involves the development, coordination, and expansion of Regional Node activities across the nation. Under the NNME, up to eight regional nodes are expected to receive significant funding, with each node potentially benefiting from up to $20 million over a span of five years.
Shari Liss, the Vice President of Global Workforce Development at SEMI, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "We've spent years listening, collaborating, and building trust, and the NNME is where all of that work takes flight. In an industry that's shaping the future, investing in people isn't just important, it's everything. This is our moment to build the national workforce infrastructure our ecosystem needs, one that matches the scale of our ambitions and the promise of what we can achieve together."
The NSF Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Erwin Gianchandani, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that a vital aspect of the nation’s technological strategy must be ensuring that the workforce is world-class and equipped to meet global competition. He articulated, "NSF is thrilled to be investing in the National Network for Microelectronics Education, which will coordinate and expand access to workforce training opportunities for America's semiconductor industry. Together with the private sector, NNME will bolster opportunity for all Americans and strengthen our competitive advantage in a technology sector critical to our economic future and national security."
NNME is fundamentally more than just a workforce initiative; it is a rallying call for collaboration. Michelle Williams, the Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation, stated, "We believe the greatest breakthroughs in microelectronics workforce development will come not from isolated efforts, but from strong, coordinated partnerships rooted in communities across the country. Through NNME, we're creating a framework where industry, education, and local leaders can work hand-in-hand to make a lasting impact."
The envisioned Regional Nodes will serve as location-based partnerships anchoring workforce development strategies specifically tailored for the semiconductor industry. These nodes will unite employers, educational institutions, and community organizations to coordinate talent development that aligns with local and national industry demands while also expanding access to training and work-based learning opportunities across various job types and educational levels. Furthermore, these Regional Nodes will focus on engaging employers in co-designing training programs to ensure they are effectively meeting the industry's evolving needs.
To provide further support to interested applicants, the SEMI Foundation is scheduling an informational webinar on July 23 at 3 p.m. EDT. This session will cover the details of the opportunity and outline expectations for Regional Nodes, while also allowing time for a live Q&A segment. This engagement is open to both organizations that aspire to lead a Regional Node and those looking to participate as partners in regional proposals.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their Letters of Interest (LOIs) by August 8 at 5 p.m. EDT. The LOIs will serve to gauge regional readiness, identify potential overlaps between organizations, and facilitate matchmaking among interested partners without being repeatedly reviewed or evaluated at this stage.
For more comprehensive information about this opportunity and to register for the upcoming webinar, you can visit the official NNME website at https//NNME.org/. The SEMI Foundation, which aims to support economic opportunities for workers while driving sustainable growth within the microelectronics industry, encourages participation from organizations dedicated to forging pathways for job seekers.
To strengthen its dedication to the semiconductor community, SEMI, the global industry association that links over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide, is committed to fostering collaboration within the industry. Their focus on advocacy, workforce development, sustainability, and supply chain management enables members to thrive in this fast-paced environment, promoting innovation in design and manufacturing processes.
This initiative aims to address the burgeoning talent gap in the semiconductor industry, which is critical to the technological advancement and economic growth of the United States. The SEMI Foundation plays the pivotal role of the Coordinating Hub for the NNME, a task that involves the development, coordination, and expansion of Regional Node activities across the nation. Under the NNME, up to eight regional nodes are expected to receive significant funding, with each node potentially benefiting from up to $20 million over a span of five years.
Shari Liss, the Vice President of Global Workforce Development at SEMI, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "We've spent years listening, collaborating, and building trust, and the NNME is where all of that work takes flight. In an industry that's shaping the future, investing in people isn't just important, it's everything. This is our moment to build the national workforce infrastructure our ecosystem needs, one that matches the scale of our ambitions and the promise of what we can achieve together."
The NSF Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Erwin Gianchandani, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that a vital aspect of the nation’s technological strategy must be ensuring that the workforce is world-class and equipped to meet global competition. He articulated, "NSF is thrilled to be investing in the National Network for Microelectronics Education, which will coordinate and expand access to workforce training opportunities for America's semiconductor industry. Together with the private sector, NNME will bolster opportunity for all Americans and strengthen our competitive advantage in a technology sector critical to our economic future and national security."
NNME is fundamentally more than just a workforce initiative; it is a rallying call for collaboration. Michelle Williams, the Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation, stated, "We believe the greatest breakthroughs in microelectronics workforce development will come not from isolated efforts, but from strong, coordinated partnerships rooted in communities across the country. Through NNME, we're creating a framework where industry, education, and local leaders can work hand-in-hand to make a lasting impact."
The envisioned Regional Nodes will serve as location-based partnerships anchoring workforce development strategies specifically tailored for the semiconductor industry. These nodes will unite employers, educational institutions, and community organizations to coordinate talent development that aligns with local and national industry demands while also expanding access to training and work-based learning opportunities across various job types and educational levels. Furthermore, these Regional Nodes will focus on engaging employers in co-designing training programs to ensure they are effectively meeting the industry's evolving needs.
To provide further support to interested applicants, the SEMI Foundation is scheduling an informational webinar on July 23 at 3 p.m. EDT. This session will cover the details of the opportunity and outline expectations for Regional Nodes, while also allowing time for a live Q&A segment. This engagement is open to both organizations that aspire to lead a Regional Node and those looking to participate as partners in regional proposals.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their Letters of Interest (LOIs) by August 8 at 5 p.m. EDT. The LOIs will serve to gauge regional readiness, identify potential overlaps between organizations, and facilitate matchmaking among interested partners without being repeatedly reviewed or evaluated at this stage.
For more comprehensive information about this opportunity and to register for the upcoming webinar, you can visit the official NNME website at https//NNME.org/. The SEMI Foundation, which aims to support economic opportunities for workers while driving sustainable growth within the microelectronics industry, encourages participation from organizations dedicated to forging pathways for job seekers.
To strengthen its dedication to the semiconductor community, SEMI, the global industry association that links over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide, is committed to fostering collaboration within the industry. Their focus on advocacy, workforce development, sustainability, and supply chain management enables members to thrive in this fast-paced environment, promoting innovation in design and manufacturing processes.
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