Boise State University is taking a leading role in a significant regional initiative aimed at addressing the looming shortage of workers in the microelectronics and semiconductor sectors. With a projected national shortfall of 157,000 workers by 2030, the newly announced partnership seeks to draw more students into high-tech majors and support the semiconductor industry across a nine-state region.
Regional Collaboration for Workforce Development
The partnership, known as the Pacific Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors (PINES), includes member schools from Colorado, Montana, Hawaii, and other states. These institutions will collaborate by sharing curriculum and faculty, providing students with enhanced hands-on learning opportunities. The initiative also aims to foster the next generation of workers through pre-college programs that create pathways to high-tech majors.
Nancy Glenn, acting president of Boise State, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership, describing it as a source of “life-changing opportunities” for students across the region. Shari Liss from the SEMI Foundation highlighted the necessity of a collective effort, likening it to a “giant village” required to meet the workforce needs.
Opportunities for Diverse Student Populations
The initiative is not limited to traditional college-aged students. It also supports veterans transitioning to civilian careers and adults seeking new career paths, as noted by April Arnzen of Micron Technology. This inclusivity underscores the broad opportunities available within the semiconductor industry.
Idaho’s economic future is closely linked to its educational system, according to Governor Brad Little, who stressed the importance of talent in sustaining growth. Boise State’s leadership in the PINES partnership positions it as a national leader in microelectronics, potentially impacting students from kindergarten through graduate programs, as stated by Amy Fleischer, Dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State.
Federal Support and Broader Implications
The partnership will receive $20 million in federal funding over five years, sourced from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which aims to boost the semiconductor industry. The National Science Foundation is supporting four regional semiconductor education nodes, with Boise State’s initiative being one of them.
This collaboration not only strengthens Boise State’s role in the national semiconductor landscape but also enhances educational and career prospects for students across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
