Jon StojanTSMC Arizona partners with city and state leaders in government and education to expand its technician apprenticeship program.
Image credit: TSMC Arizona
On Nov. 19, 2024, TSMC Arizona announced an expansion of its first-of-its-kind semiconductor technician apprenticeship program, designed to create the next generation of technicians who can support the growth of the industry in the United States. It represents a $5 million investment in the future of Arizona and the nation’s economic and national security.
The program is a partnership between TSMC Arizona, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the United States Department of Commerce, and the City of Phoenix, where the company’s three facilities are being built to the tune of $65 billion. The announcement was in conjunction with the Governors Apprenticeship Innovation Summit, which brought together partners across the state to share best practices and policy options for expanding opportunities in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week.
“The semiconductor industry has created opportunities for countless Arizonans to gain access to good-paying, stable jobs. Today, we are making that opportunity more accessible by creating new pathways into this growing, high-tech sector through robust new apprenticeship programs,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “With strong partners like TSMC, Arizona has been a leader in synchronizing our workforce efforts and investing in training that meets private sector needs and target key industries powering our economy, and today’s announcement is a continuation of our commitment to connecting Arizonans to the jobs of the future.”
4 Ways To Join TSMC Arizona’s Technician Apprentice Program
TSMC Arizona rolled out a pilot of the technician apprenticeship program in April 2024. The first of its kind for the semiconductor industry in the U.S., the pilot focused exclusively on a registered technician apprenticeship for facilities technicians. Sponsored by the City of Phoenix and using a classroom curriculum developed in partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges, the first cohort works full-time at TSMC Arizona, and takes weekly courses at Estrella Mountain Community College to earn their first apprenticeship — or “journeyman’s card.”
The expansion will add three technician roles to the program. Participants can earn an apprenticeship in the following three roles:
— Facilities Technician: People in this role learn about general facilities management, then pick a specialization in electrical, gas and chemical, instrumentation and control, mechanical, or water. They do everything from operating gas and chemical distribution systems to operating pumping systems, interpreting schematics, troubleshooting HVAC systems, and maintaining facilities instrumentation.
— Equipment Technician: This role involves performing preventive maintenance for TSMC Arizona’s industry-leading 300mm semiconductor equipment in a cleanroom environment, responding to error messages, performing quality checks, and being responsible for the full life cycle of spare parts used in the plant’s production.
— Process Technician: People who enter this program work in an office setting and monitor wafer processing, respond to alarms, analyze risk, and assist engineers.
Each program involves on-the-job training at TSMC Arizona and in-person or online classes, and the first apprenticeship can be earned in between 18 to 24 months. The expansion comes with new education partnerships; in addition to Estrella Mountain Community College, apprentices can now receive instruction at Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, Rio Salado College, and Western Maricopa Education Center. The program aligns with industry standards, comes with both personal and professional development opportunities, and is modeled on TSMC’s Taiwan-based training programs and United States-based apprenticeship models.
TSMC Arizona’s Commitment to Arizona
The apprenticeship program is part of TSMC Arizona’s work to bring cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication technology to the United States. The company is investing $65 billion in Phoenix via the build of three fabrications on a more than 1,100-acre complex in the northern part of the city. TSMC Arizona expects to employ 6,000 people to support three planned semiconductor fabs. Many of these employees will come through the apprenticeship program, which comes with tuition support and salary as they earn their journeyman cards, which certify that they’re qualified to work in the field.
While going through the program isn’t a requirement to be hired as a technician at TSMC Arizona, TSMC leadership says apprenticeship can provide the comprehensive training they need to succeed, improve their chances of having a long-term career at the company, and help students who are typically underrepresented in the semiconductor industry get a foot in the door.
“One of the top considerations in TSMC’s decision to expand here was the opportunity to tap a local and diverse talent pipeline and collaborate with a world-class U.S. education system. Our first-of-its-kind program for semiconductor technicians represents what’s possible when government, industry, and education come together,” said Rose Castaneres, president of TSMC Arizona. “We are deeply committed to creating job opportunities for local Arizonans. Our newest technician apprentices will get the support and training they need to thrive in their new careers and help us make the most advanced semiconductor technology in the United States.”
The semiconductor technology they will help TSMC Arizona create will be the most advanced chips produced on U.S. soil, as the first fabrication plant begins high-volume production in early 2025. They’re the powerhouses behind more than 12,000 different electronic devices, from smartphones to internet-connected appliances, to autonomous vehicles, to space stations, to artificial intelligence-powered applications.
Technician Apprenticeship Program’s Next Cohort
TSMC Arizona aims to add about 130 apprentices to the program in 2025, with the next cohort starting work in April 2025. Those who wish to apply must be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or GED certificate, basic computer skills, and a desire to learn and be a part of a team.
“By expanding the registered apprenticeship program and adding even more opportunities for training, TSMC is helping to build and upskill the strong workforce it needs to continue making the cutting-edge chips that power virtually every piece of technology in the modern world,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. “The City of Phoenix is proud to support TSMC in building off our existing partnership to ensure Phoenicians have access to top-tier instruction and rewarding jobs.”