Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint

U.S. Department of Commerce Resources

The Commerce Department received the lion’s share of funding from the $250 billion CHIPS and Science Act of 2022–presenting huge potential for community colleges, according to Commerce Department Senior Policy Advisor Rachel Lipson. CHIPS included the authorization of thirty-three programs supporting STEM-related education, training, and outreach, particularly around ten technology areas, which include advanced manufacturing.

Workforce development is an eligible use of funds for the $39 billion in CHIPS manufacturing incentives funding. Commerce expects most incentive awards to include dedicated funds for workforce development and more than $500 million in public and private investment in workforce development associated with CHIPS-funded projects. Applicants must submit a workforce development plan to the department and must partner with education and training providers.

Additionally, state and local investments in education and training to support semiconductor workforce development are “covered incentives,” a requirement for a project to qualify for CHIPS incentives funds.

As part of the CHIPS for America vision, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has called on the U.S. to double the semiconductor workforce overall, triple the number of graduates in semiconductor-related fields, and train 100,000 new technicians.

Brookings Study

According to a 2023 Brookings Institution study, over 60 percent of semiconductor manufacturing jobs do not require bachelor’s degrees, creating opportunities for high-quality non-degree workforce programs. A 2023 analysis by Handshake found that student applications to jobs posted by semiconductor companies increased 79 percent in 2022-2023 versus just 19 percent for other industries, signaling possible strong student interest in these types of programs.

According to Commerce, at least eight states have announced new funding to support education and workforce opportunities in semiconductor manufacturing, and over fifty community colleges across nineteen states have announced new or expanded programs to meet semiconductor workforce needs since CHIPS was passed.

Beyond the CHIPS Program office, community colleges are almost always eligible to apply for U.S. Economic Development Administration programs, many of which support workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

For instance, Austin Community College received an EDA STEM Talent Challenge grant to support semiconductor manufacturing equipment maintenance and repair technicians training while Sante Fe Community College won a 2023 Build to Scale award as part of a consortium with the North American Intelligent Manufacturing Initiative to address cybersecurity and IT needs in advanced manufacturing.

Lorain County Community College was a sub-awardee of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s $23 million Good Jobs Challenge grant focused on meeting manufacturing needs for over 100 employers, including Honda, Lincoln Electric, and Kenworth while St. Louis Community College is a part of the St. Louis Tech Triangle Hub and the Greater St. Louis Build Build Back Better Regional Challenge Coalition which is funding $3 million in equipment purchases and installation for students to use in programs across robotics, robotic welding, programmable logic controllers, drone technology, and other manufacturing fields.

Community Colleges Encoured

1. Use the Investing in America map, the CHIPS Teaming Partner list, and college networks to identify semiconductor manufacturers and engage them to learn about their upcoming projects that will require training.
2. Reach out to Good Jobs Challenge grantee leads in your region to see if they seek training partners.
3. Encourage state and local leaders to invest in education and workforce development to help meet the state and local incentive requirements for CHIPS incentive funding.
4. Contact your EDA Tech Hubs applicant leaders to incorporate your work into the broader Tech Hub Strategy. Contact the Tech Hubs team at techhubs@eda.gov with questions.
5. Explore collaborations with one of the 22 finalists of the $200 million Recompete program.
6. Engage your local Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center and the ManufacturingUSA Network for resources and potential partners in manufacturing workforce development.