The award is from the CHIPS and Science Act, which was negotiated by Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly to bring microchip manufacturing back to America, create jobs, and strengthen national security.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) will receive $1.7 million to expand training programs for microchip manufacturing jobs in Arizona. The funding is a part of the CHIPS and Science law, led by Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly.
The funding was awarded through the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Workforce Partner Alliance (WFPA) program – established by Sinema and Kelly’s CHIPS and Science law – and will enable MCCCD to continue leading transformative workforce development programs in Arizona aimed at closing crucial workforce and skills gaps across the U.S. semiconductor industry.
“This investment from our bipartisan CHIPS and Science law will ensure Maricopa Community Colleges can continue providing talented Arizonans with the tools and training to thrive, protect our national security, and strengthen Arizona’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Sinema.
“As Arizona’s microchip industry continues to grow, there will be even more demand for a trained workforce ready to work the jobs of the future,” said Kelly. “This funding will allow Maricopa County Community College District to expand their Quick Start semiconductor technician training program—preparing more Arizonans with the skills they need to start great-paying careers without a four-year degree. By investing in our workforce, we’re strengthening Arizona’s position as a leader in microchip manufacturing and ensuring our nation’s competitiveness and security.”
Currently offered at three of the system’s 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, and Mesa Community College – this funding will allow MCCCD to expand its Semiconductor Technician Quick Start training to Glendale Community College, ensuring geographic coverage for individuals seeking training throughout the Valley. Additionally, MCCCD will develop and implement the Maricopa Accelerated Semiconductor Training (MAST) program, building on the Quick Start program to provide course training for in-demand positions.
As the largest workforce training provider in the state, MCCCD’s expanded programming will prepare an additional 300 individuals for careers as semiconductor technicians in Arizona’s booming microchip industry, addressing the region’s growing demand for highly skilled workers and reinforcing Arizona’s position as a global microchip leader.
Sinema and Kelly worked for nearly two years to negotiate and champion the CHIPS and Science Act, a $52 billion plan to boost domestic microchip manufacturing. Thanks to their leadership, Arizona is well positioned to become a global hub for microelectronics research, development, testing, manufacturing, and packaging. With new semiconductor facilities being constructed in Maricopa County, Arizona workers are already feeling the impact of this historic law.
In June 2020, Sinema first introduced the CHIPS for America Act with Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. The CHIPS and Science Act included the funding to make Sinema’s CHIPS in America Act operational. Sinema was instrumental in passing the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act into law, partnering with Republican Senator Todd Young (Ind.) to prevent the legislation from partisan collapse on the Senate floor.
Since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, more than $60 billion in private investment for 38 semiconductor industry projects have been announced in Arizona.