Northern Arizona University and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company are teaming up on a free process‑technician training track that is designed to move Arizonans into high‑paying chip‑fab jobs. The partnership blends university coursework with long stretches of paid, on‑the‑job training at TSMC facilities and is timed to feed hiring at the state’s rapidly expanding fabs. University and industry leaders say the program opens up career ladders that do not require a four‑year degree.
As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, NAU professor Dr. Tom Dory called the collaboration "an important project" that will help the university support Arizona's chip‑industry growth. FOX 10 Phoenix notes that the course is completely free and highlights TSMC process technician Nolan Cottingham, who walks through how the mix of classroom time and hands‑on work plays out day to day. The station also reports that applicants must be at least 18 and U.S. citizens, and that registrations are open through July 31.
How the training works
The two‑year Process Technician Apprenticeship ties together roughly 600 hours of Northern Arizona University coursework with about 4,000 hours of on‑the‑job training at TSMC's North Phoenix fab, according to Northern Arizona University. TSMC's apprenticeship overview describes multi‑cycle training tracks and one‑to‑one mentorship that guide trainees from basic process work toward equipment and facilities roles. Graduates walk away with OSHA safety credentials and TSMC‑recognized certificates that are built to translate directly into hiring priority.
Who can apply
As FOX 10 Phoenix reports, the first cohort is open to adults aged 18 and older who are U.S. citizens, with a registration cutoff of July 31. The station notes that the free university credits attached to the program are rare, and that cohort sizes will be capped. Prospective applicants are urged to check eligibility and apply early before the limited slots fill up.
Why Arizona needs the program
The training push lands as TSMC accelerates its U.S. expansion, with plans that could scale to roughly a $165 billion U.S. investment and a multi‑fab campus in north Phoenix, according to TSMC. Federal analysis estimates that TSMC's initial three fabs will create about 6,000 direct manufacturing jobs, a demand the training tracks are meant to help meet, according to NIST. Workforce and economic planners across Arizona have been steadily ramping education and apprenticeship capacity to keep up with thousands of new positions in the semiconductor supply chain.
From fast food to cleanrooms
On the ground, individual recruitment stories show how big a leap the apprenticeship can offer. Nolan Cottingham left fast‑food work to join a TSMC apprenticeship and credits on‑the‑job training with a rapid skills jump, per Rio Salado College. Community‑college and university partners say these kinds of entry points help people move into stable manufacturing careers without long, debt‑heavy degrees. Local workforce leaders add that short‑form certificates paired with apprenticeships are essential as fabs move from construction into full‑scale production.
Where to get details and apply
Northern Arizona University's PTAP page lists contact and enrollment information for the Process Technician Apprenticeship, and the Arizona Commerce Authority tracks broader updates on semiconductor workforce programs statewide. Visit Northern Arizona University for program specifics and Arizona Commerce Authority releases for context on the industry’s growth across the state.
