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Intel, NSF to Invest $150M in Semiconductor Education, Research and Workforce Development

Over the next decade, Intel will partner with universities, community colleges and technical educators across the United States to establish semiconductor manufacturing education and research collaborations, bolster the workforce and tackle technical challenges in the industry. Together with the National Science Foundation, it has pledged $150 million toward the effort: The company will invest $50 million directly in Ohio higher education institutions and $50 million (matched by an additional $50 million from the NSF) in national funding opportunities.

A key goal is to "establish comprehensive and collaborative programs with higher education institutions to accelerate readiness and enable the workforce needed for operations of [Intel's] new semiconductor fabrication facilities and of ecosystem partners," the company explained in a news announcement. Investments will go toward creating new curricula, certifications, faculty training reskill and upskill programs for the existing workforce, laboratory equipment upgrades and more.

"In the past year, Intel has announced manufacturing investments that will create 6,700 high-tech, U.S. jobs, including 3,000 in Ohio. Intel is on a mission to lead domestic chip capacity and capability growth, and for this, we need the very best talent available," said Keyvan Esfarjani, executive vice president and chief global operations officer for Intel, in a statement. "That is why Intel is investing in educational and research programs in Ohio and across the U.S. to address the technical challenges and workforce shortages in our industry."

"At Intel, we strongly believe that investing in education is necessary to ensure we have the right talent to support our growth and help the U.S. regain leadership in semiconductor manufacturing," added Christy Pambianchi, Intel executive vice president and chief people officer. "Our goal is to bring these programs and opportunities to a variety of two-year and four-year colleges, universities and technical programs, because it is critical that we expand and diversify STEM education. Intel is committed to preparing America's workforce with the technology skills needed now and into the future."

For more information, visit the Intel site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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