This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
One of the fastest-growing industries in Arizona is the semiconductor industry. Microchips produced at Arizona semiconductor manufacturing companies are used for various devices, including cars, computers, smartphones, smart TVs, home appliances, and more.
In 2021, Forbes Magazine declared Arizona as the U.S.’s “Semiconductor Central.” So, with the largest semiconductor company in our backyard, the Maricopa Community Colleges and Intel Corporation partnered to provide students with an expedited pathway to meet the growing demand of the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Now, interested students can jumpstart their careers and be employed as semiconductor technicians in just ten days!
Semiconductor Technician Quick Start Program
The Semiconductor Technician Quick Start is a ten-day, 40-hour bootcamp-style program that expediently trains students for entry-level careers with a guaranteed interview with local semiconductor companies following program completion. Furthermore, upon finishing the program and passing the NIMS Technician Certification test, students may receive up to a $270 stipend. Thanks to the innovative program, students receive three college credit hours and a pathway to earn associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.
With three convenient locations at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, and Mesa Community College, the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program offers small class sizes and flexible start dates that work with busy schedules.
Women in the Semiconductor Tech Field
In a field that is considered non-traditional for women, the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program is breaking barriers and providing women with a career trajectory in semiconductor manufacturing. In the Summer of 2022, the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program graduated its inaugural cohort, which was made up entirely of female students. Thanks to a partnership with the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, twelve women from traditionally underrepresented communities were able to learn the skills needed for roles as a technician. Since the program’s launch, 82 women have enrolled in the program from June to October 2022.
National Model – CHIPS and Science Act
With the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022, Arizona is on track to be a leader in the microchip manufacturing industry. The bill will create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, support training programs, boost microchip manufacturing in the U.S., and, most importantly, fix supply chain disruptions. In addition, according to Senator Mark Kelly, the chief negotiator for the CHIPS and Science Act, the bill establishes Arizona as a global hub for microtechnologies research, development, testing, manufacturing, and packaging.
Career Outlook
The semiconductor industry is booming and is expected to continue to grow in the future. Currently, there are more than 2,200 unfilled jobs in Arizona. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona is a national leader in pay for semiconductor technicians, with a median annual salary of $45,660.
Top Semiconductor Manufacturers in Arizona and United States
| Arizona Semiconductor Manufacturers | Top 10 U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturers |
|---|---|
| Intel Corporation | Intel Corporation |
| ON Semiconductor | NVIDIA Corporation |
| Microchip Technology Incorporated | Texas Instruments Incorporated |
| Microsemi | Micron Technology, Inc. |
| FlipChip | Analog Devices, Inc. |
| NXP Semiconductors | Microchip Technology Incorporated |
| Amkor Technology | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. |
| Qualcomm Technology | Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. |
| Versum Materials | Xilinx, Inc. |
| ASM America | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. |