The SEMI Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation have launched the first four regional nodes of the National Network for Microelectronics Education, bringing together more than 325 organisations across the United States.
The nodes cover the Southwest, Pacific Intermountain, Northeast and South, linking employers, schools, colleges, universities, workforce groups and economic development agencies around semiconductor and microelectronics training.
Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the initiative is aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act. The SEMI Foundation is serving as the network's hub operator, with the aim of creating a national workforce development structure for a sector facing growing labour pressure.
The Southwest node is led by the Arizona Commerce Authority and serves Arizona, Southern California, Colourado, New Mexico and Utah. The Pacific Intermountain node is led by Boise State University and covers Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Colourado, Nevada, Northern California and Hawaii.
In the eastern half of the country, the Northeast node is led by NY CREATES and serves Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. The South node is led by the University of Texas at Austin and covers Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Alabama.
Several states, including Utah, Colourado and New Mexico, are included in more than one region. The network is intended to align education and training with employer demand while creating clearer routes into jobs across the semiconductor sector.
Funding model
Under the programme structure, each of the four regional nodes may receive up to USD $20 million over five years. The funding is intended to support regional workforce models that can be expanded and matched to industry demand.
The launch comes as the U.S. semiconductor industry expands through factory investment, supply chain activity and a broader push to increase domestic production. That growth has intensified scrutiny of whether the labour market can supply enough trained workers for fabrication plants, advanced packaging, facilities operations, equipment maintenance, chip design and materials roles.
According to a national landscape analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey & Company, the United States could face a shortfall of roughly 127,000 to 157,000 semiconductor and microelectronics workers by 2030. The network has been set up to address that gap through a national system with regional delivery.
Senator Todd Young said the programme was tied to the country's industrial position in semiconductors. "America's ability to lead in semiconductors depends on whether we can build and sustain the workforce needed to power innovation here at home," Young said.
He added: "The National Network for Microelectronics Education represents the kind of national, industry-connected workforce strategy needed to strengthen America's competitiveness, expand opportunity, and prepare the next generation of talent for high-demand careers in microelectronics and advanced manufacturing."
Industry link
The network's design places employers alongside education and workforce institutions in shaping training routes. Industry partners will help define curriculum, validate skills, support work-based learning and connect learners with jobs.
Shari Liss, vice president of workforce development and initiatives at SEMI and the SEMI Foundation, described the launch as a response to a wider economic and technology challenge. "The launch of these Regional Nodes constitutes the activation of national infrastructure built to meet the most consequential economic and technological challenge of our time," Liss said.
Jennifer Ellis, director of the NNME, said the project is intended to create a coordinated labour pipeline. "NNME is bringing together industry, educators, workforce organizations, and regional leaders to build a talent engine capable of preparing the next generation of semiconductor workers," Ellis said.
Michelle Williams, executive director of the SEMI Foundation, outlined the initiative's broader social goal. "This is about creating opportunity, accelerating innovation, and ensuring all Americans can participate in the future of the microelectronics economy," Williams said.
For NSF, the programme is part of a broader push to support technology development with workforce planning. "America's leadership in semiconductors depends on our ability to develop our talent," said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships at NSF.
He added: "The NNME represents an important investment in America's innovation capacity, talent readiness, and long-term competitiveness. These Regional Nodes will strengthen regional ecosystems to prepare the next generation of America's semiconductor design and manufacturing workforce."
Micron Technology is among the employers backing the effort. April Arnzen, EVP and chief people officer at Micron Technology, said: "Micron is proud to support the NNME and excited about what this network means for the future of American workers. Building the semiconductor workforce our country needs isn't something any one company or institution can do alone. It takes intentional collaboration across industry, education, and workforce systems. NNME is exactly that kind of partnership: a connected, national effort that creates real pathways for more Americans to access meaningful, well-paying jobs in one of the world's most important industries."