This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
Today, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Interim Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), MCCCD Governing Board President Marie Sullivan, and Mesa Community College Executive Director of AzAMI Workforce Leah Palmer, joined First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden and Intel Leaders at their semiconductor manufacturing plant in Chandler. At the event, a briefing was held to discuss how the community college system is developing a groundbreaking Semiconductor Technician Bootcamp to better meet the workforce needs for this growing industry.
“We are honored that First Lady Biden chose to meet with the Maricopa Community Colleges and spotlight how our innovative programs are connecting skilled workers to growing sustainable careers,” said MCCCD Interim Chancellor, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “As Arizona’s largest workforce training provider, and one of the largest in the nation, the Maricopa Community Colleges has seen the positive impact that our System has had on both our local communities and the economy, helping place Arizonans in high-demand jobs with livable wages. The MCCCD Semiconductor Technician Bootcamp will only further the positive impact of workforce development in Arizona across the nation.”
Arizona has seen a large increase in semiconductor manufacturing over the past several years, and community colleges have been called upon as a critical partner to develop the talent pipeline for this industry. The Maricopa Community Colleges has collaborated with partners like Intel to develop innovative curriculum to expedite the workforce development for this program, including the creation of a Semiconductor Technician Bootcamp.
“We recognize the value of delivering innovative, high-quality education with students' needs in mind. In this particular Bootcamp, students are able to enroll in a series of 10 four-hour classes, with day and evening options available,” said Leah Palmer, Mesa Community College, Executive Director AzAMI Workforce, and participant in the briefing. “This model aims to create greater opportunity and access to drive career reskilling and promote first-time college-goers to attain college training for direct employment.”
“The Maricopa Community Colleges are honored to work with the First Lady today visiting Intel after last week’s State of the Union Address furthering the President's priority to ‘Lower your costs, not your wages,’” said MCCCD Governing Board President, Marie Sullivan. “MCCCD is proud to provide the most cost-effective education for our students to learn and enter the semiconductor industry.”
The Semiconductor Technician Bootcamp is a two-week, 40-hour program to expediently train individuals to gain the skills necessary for a career as a semiconductor technician. The program provides tuition reimbursement to eligible participants utilizing federal American Rescue Plan funding. The Bootcamp is set to launch in May at Mesa Community College, with Estrella Mountain and Chandler Community Colleges later this summer. Enrollment information for the Bootcamp can be found on the Mesa Community College website.