Plugging into the future with a reinforced commitment to local workforce development, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, TSMC Arizona, and Mayor Kate Gallego have announced an expansion of the Registered Technician Apprenticeship program, as reported by the Office of the Arizona Governor. This move, coinciding with both National Apprenticeship Week and the Governors Apprenticeship Innovation Summit in Phoenix, highlights an amplified effort to create semiconductor industry career pathways in Arizona.
TSMC's program now boasts new apprenticeship roles including Equipment Technician Apprenticeships at Estrella Mountain Community College and Process Technician Apprenticeships through Northern Arizona University and Rio Salado College, this expansion marks a notable stride in the state's tech sector growth, backed by educational collaborations and government support, with the intention for these apprentices to emerge from their training ready to tackle the complexities of semiconductor manufacturing. "We are deeply committed to creating job opportunities for local Arizonans," Rose Castaneres, president of TSMC Arizona, said in a statement. "Our newest technician apprentices will get the support and training they need to thrive in their new careers."
Expanding on this theme of opportunity and growth, Governor Hobbs added, "The semiconductor industry has created opportunities for countless Arizonans to gain access to good-paying, stable jobs," as the Governor's office report revealed. The collaboration efforts underscore Arizona's leadership role in aligning workforce development with private sector needs an emphasis made by Mayor Gallego who underscored that "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."
Earlier initiatives saw TSMC Arizona roll out a tailored apprenticeship program for Facilities Technicians, sponsored by the City of Phoenix and partnering with Maricopa Community Colleges in the educational process. Now, tack on the new programs' investment exceeding $5M and the backing from the Department of Commerce through the CHIPS Act funding, and it becomes clear that TSMC aims to skill up near 6,000 workers upon the full operational status of their three Phoenix "fabs." With this infrastructure, TSMC Arizona and educational partners are already in the process of recruiting for 130 new apprentice roles by 2025, as insiders look to continue to bolster their Phoenix ranks; a forward march within a sector telling a tale of regional adaptation in the face of global tech evolutions.
Candidates keen on entering TSMC's apprenticeship ventures should navigate to the application site. Meanwhile, industry and educational figureheads have echoed the sentiment of progress. Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, detailed, "TSMC Arizona's apprenticeship expansion showcases Arizona's steadfast commitment to growing our skilled semiconductor workforce." Echoes of praise also come from Paul Lambertson, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Grand Canyon University, who said, "Thank you TSMC for bringing this great business to our community and state," such accolades outlined in the governor's office statement.
