Summary#
This bill creates new education and training programs for the semiconductor and microelectronics workforce. It requires a single publicly accessible online clearinghouse of microelectronics education and workforce information. The National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) would develop competency-based degree, credentialing, and certificate frameworks. A Subcommittee must produce a 5-year national strategy on microelectronics workforce development within one year, including priorities, common metrics, coordination with education systems, use of federal funding, assessment approaches, and alignment with related CHIPS and STEM plans. The strategy must be updated at least every 5 years and posted on the clearinghouse.
What it means for you#
- Eligible institutions that primarily award less than a bachelors degree (for example, community colleges), postsecondary vocational institutions, and area career and technical schools can join partnerships to apply for competitive grants.
- Grants can be used to start or expand workforce and academic programs related to semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, microelectronics, computer science, engineering, and related industries. Short-term and non-credit programs may be included.
- Partnerships must include an eligible institution, a covered entity, and a State, Indian Tribe, or local government; they must describe how they will recruit and retain people with barriers to employment and how programs align with NSTC or NSF credential frameworks.
- The NSTC will give priority to partnerships in areas with growing microelectronics ecosystems and that coordinate with state and local workforce boards.
- A single public online clearinghouse will make strategy and workforce information available. Federal agencies are barred from creating a duplicative clearinghouse.
Expenses#
- Individual grants may be for up to $7,000,000 and for up to 5 years.
- The Federal share of grant costs may not exceed 50 percent.
- The bill directs that certain funds made available under the CHIPS and Science Act be used to carry out this grant program.
- No publicly available information on the total amount of funding or overall cost to the federal government is included in the provided material.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information in the provided material about proponents' public statements or arguments.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information in the provided material about opponents' public statements or arguments.