NY CREATES Receives $4.7M National Science Foundation Grant to Launch Semiconductor Workforce Development Program

Initiative to Connect College Students with Leading Industry Partners and Training at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex

Albany, N.Y. – The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) announced today it has been awarded a $4.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the establishment of the Education Alliance for Semiconductor Experiential Learning (EASEL) program. This workforce development initiative aims to help address the growing national demand for a skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry, a critical need highlighted by the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act.

The U.S. CHIPS & Science Act, a transformational investment in the nation’s semiconductor industry, will help create an estimated 280,000 jobs across the computer chip industry, with nearly half of those positions requiring skilled technicians. EASEL will play a pivotal role in filling these technician positions by providing hands-on, immersive learning experiences for college students from across the U.S. at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex to help them hit the ground running in semiconductor careers. EASEL will also provide similar experiences to teachers and instructors to better prepare them to educate the nation’s semiconductor workforce.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “This $4.7 million from my CHIPS & Science law will help college students from across America come to Albany NanoTech to get hands-on training and become the next generation of America’s semiconductor workforce. It will bring together community colleges, including Onondaga Community College, who are launching chip technician programs now and give them access to the most cutting-edge research facilities to get them ready for good-paying jobs at companies like Micron and GlobalFoundries. I crafted this law with Upstate NY as my north star, because I knew that with targeted federal investments like this, the communities in Upstate NY that powered America’s industrial past could be the ones to build its future and bring critical manufacturing back from overseas to America. Together, we’re boosting Upstate NY as the heart of America’s semiconductor manufacturing industry. I’ve worked closely with the Administration, including the NSF, to make the case for federal investment in Upstate NY’s R&D and workforce training programs, and I’m grateful that the NSF recognizes Albany NanoTech’s premier work and leadership in boosting the nation’s semiconductor industry.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “This is a long overdue investment in one of the Capital Region’s most important bridges. I’m proud to have fought for federal funding for this project and will continue to fight for every dollar necessary to get this restoration done.”

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the NSF to further train a robust semiconductor-focused workforce,” said NY CREATES President Dave Anderson. “We look forward to engaging with our industry partners, including Micron and GlobalFoundries, as well as with our initial cohort of academic institutions to connect students with this program. Providing them the vital skills required to contribute to this area of research, development, and manufacturing is critically important for New York State and the U.S., especially given the exciting promise of the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act which is already driving industry expansion.”

“I consider myself lucky to represent a region that is such a strong leader in the semiconductor industry, from manufacturing facilities and research and development programs to our cutting-edge educational institutions,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “I’ve been immensely proud to lead efforts in the House on CHIPS & Science Act funding and bolstering our semiconductor ecosystem because I know how important this issue is—not only for our national security and economic competitiveness, but also for creating good paying jobs here at home. This grant only furthers our Capital Region’s leadership role by driving further education and training for students looking to enter into this growing industry. My congratulations to NY CREATES on leading this exceptional project.”

The EASEL program will bring together a coalition of community colleges and leading U.S. semiconductor manufacturers to develop and implement multi-modal experiential learning opportunities. Initially, the alliance will include four core community colleges—Columbus State Community College, Onondaga Community College, LaGuardia Community College, and Madison Area Technical College—and will expand to include additional institutions across key semiconductor manufacturing regions in the U.S.

“The SEMI Foundation is proud to support initiatives like the EASEL program that strengthen our initiatives cultivating the next generation of semiconductor professionals,” said Shari Liss, Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation. “By bridging academia and industry, this program will provide students with the hands-on experience and technical skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving field. Collaborative efforts like these are key to ensuring the continued growth and innovation of the semiconductor industry in the U.S.”

“NY CREATES plays an important role in Micron’s workforce development strategy, and we’re thrilled this NSF grant will expand access to semiconductor skills and training at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex,” said Micron Chief People Officer April Arnzen. “The CHIPS & Science Act has propelled the growth of the domestic semiconductor industry, and Micron is committed to cultivating a diverse, highly skilled workforce that can support advanced memory manufacturing alongside our partners, including NYCREATES and Onondaga Community College. We look forward to the rich experiences students and faculty will gain from this hands-on programming.” 

“Essential chips are strengthening supply chains and driving innovation. To continue growing, our industry must work together to inspire and develop tomorrow’s skilled semiconductor workforce,” said GlobalFoundries Chief People Officer Pradheepa Raman. “Building a robust and diverse talent pipeline requires strong public-private partnerships. We are proud to deepen our collaboration with NY CREATES, NSF and others on these critical workforce development efforts.”

Over the course of the four-year project, EASEL is expected to support up to 660 student learners and faculty participants, providing over 43,000 hours of immersive experiential learning and 4,000 hours of faculty technical development. The project will leverage the unique capabilities of NY CREATES, which operates the largest non-profit 300mm semiconductor R&D facility in North America, offering a complete integrated circuit process flow down to the 5-7nm device node.

This award from the NSF underscores the importance of workforce development programs that can scale to produce skilled technical workers. This is especially important as NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex growth continues, further expanding its capacity with its High NA EUV Lithography Center, currently under construction, which can provide a neutral location to support a future National Semiconductor Technology Center under the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act.

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About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as a lab-to-fab bridge for advanced electronics, fostering public-private and industry-academic partnerships for technology development and innovation. NY CREATES attracts and leads industry-connected innovation and commercialization projects that secure significant investment, advance R&D in emerging technologies, and generate the jobs of tomorrow. NY CREATES runs some of the most advanced facilities in the world, boasts more than 2,700 industry experts and faculty, and manages public and private investments of more than $20 billion—placing it at the global epicenter of high-tech innovation and commercialization. Learn more at www.ny-creates.org.  

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Media Coverage:

Times Union: NY CREATES gets $4.7 million National Science Foundation grant

SemiconductorDigest: NY CREATES Receives $4.7M National Science Foundation Grant to Launch Semiconductor Workforce Development Program

WTEN: More semiconductor funding coming to New York
LaGuardia Community College Receives Funding For Semiconductor Workforce Development Program With NY CREATES

NY CREATES featured in Department of Commerce Fact Sheet

U.S. Department of Commerce, FACT SHEET: Upstate New York Workforce Hub is Maximizing Federal Investments in the Region by Driving Commitments to Equitable Workforce Development

On September 26, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Raimondo, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT) President Randi Weingarten joined Micron and AFT’s affiliates the New York State United Teachers and the United Federation of Teachers, in Syracuse. Secretary Raimondo highlighted the implementation of AFT’s Advanced Technology Framework, which will help students get ready for the thousands of new technical careers in the semiconductor industry, as well as new funding from the President’s Investing in America agenda to expand deployment and support the Upstate New York Workforce Hub. Based on foundational and technical skills found throughout the microelectronics manufacturing sector, this curricular framework, teacher training, and work-based learning opportunities pilot program has commenced across 10 New York school districts.

This first-of-its-kind framework was developed directly by teachers and Micron to integrate industry-based career exploration and to engage students in deeper learning, such as analyzing information, thinking critically and applying knowledge, all while providing students with real-life, real-world skills.

Secretary Raimondo has highlighted the Advanced Technology Framework as one tangible action that will serve the needs not just of Micron, but the entire Investing in America Upstate New York Workforce Hub. AFT’s vision is to move quickly from pilot to expansion, enabling other communities to work with AFT to scale this program that supports the alignment of education and workforce development programs, starting with high school students, grades 10-12. On September 25, 2024, Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), announced that it intends to award.

$1.7 million from President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act to the AFT Educational Foundation to further expand deployment of the Advanced Technology Framework across New York, as well as Michigan and Minnesota. This award is part of the inaugural NSTC Workforce Partner Alliance Program and is one of seven expected awards across more than ten states.

The Upstate New York Workforce Hub kicked off this summer with a convening of employers, labor unions, universities, community colleges, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego’s Syracuse campus. Convened by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Empire State Development (ESD), stakeholders at the event heard from industry partners, unions, and training providers on the expected workforce needs associated with their planned investments in the region and discussed how to scale existing programs and develop new initiatives to build strong talent pipelines into the semiconductor industry.

The Biden-Harris Administration is laser-focused on creating training pipelines that ensure all Americans can access the hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs created by the President’s Investing in America agenda—whether they went to college or not. To do that, the Administration launched nine Investing in America Workforce Hubs across the country that are bringing together unions, local governments, employers, training providers, schools, community colleges, and other stakeholders to facilitate partnerships to train and connect workers to jobs in high-demand sectors. First Lady Jill Biden announced five Workforce Hubs last year—Columbus, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Augusta, and Phoenix—which generated dozens of actions to expand pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships, train thousands of workers for good-paying union jobs, and expand community college programs. Building on that success, President Biden announced four new Workforce Hubs this year—upstate New York, Michigan, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia.

Upstate New York has emerged as a growing hub for semiconductor manufacturing, with record-breaking investments throughout the region. Across the state of New York, the Administration has announced more than $28.2 billion in federal investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, which have catalyzed an additional $90.2 billion in related private-sector investments. These investments are generating demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor industry, construction and related trades by creating good-paying jobs that will support working families in the Upstate New York region.

Department of Commerce Investments in Skilled Workers and Good Jobs

  • This spring, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Micron Technology signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to roughly $6.14 billion in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to boost U.S. competitiveness in leading-edge memory semiconductor production. The proposed funding would support the construction of two leading-edge Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) fabs in Clay, New York, the first step in Micron’s two-decade vision to invest approximately $100 billion in New York and create roughly 13,500 facility and construction jobs.
  • Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and GlobalFoundries (GF) signed a non-binding PMT to provide approximately $1.5 billion in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The proposed funding would support a new state-of-the-art facility, significant capacity expansion, and the modernization of GF’s U.S. manufacturing sites in New York and Vermont, which produce essential automotive, communications, and defense semiconductor technologies. In New York, the funding would support construction of a new, large-scale 300 mm fabrication facility in Malta and the proposed expansion of the existing Malta, New York fabrication facility. This expansion is expected to triple the existing capacity of the Malta campus over the next 10+ years.
  • In July, Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced that it is slated to award approximately $40 million to NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, a consortium led by CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO) in New York, to implement four projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will enable U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. This Tech Hub will coordinate across the region’s significant semiconductor fabrication investments, adjacent supply chain assets, scientific capabilities coalitions, and partner coalitions to establish an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem that provides career pathways and employment opportunities to the region’s historically underserved communities.
  • The Biden-Harris Administration, also through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s EDA, announced the Western New York Advanced Manufacturing Coalition as one of 21 American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) awardees. Western New York Advanced Manufacturing, led by the Empire State Development Corporation, is utilizing a $25 million BBBRC grant to invest in the distressed eastern side of Buffalo, New York and accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing in the region. The coalition is accelerating the development of the Northland Corridor in Buffalo’s predominantly Black East Side by renovating two industrial buildings, expanding a small- and mid-sized manufacturer training program at the Buffalo Manufacturing Works, and building out a career readiness program through Goodwill of WNY’s Goodskills Career Builder initiative.

The Upstate New York Workforce Hub is maximizing the impact of these federal investments by driving commitments to equitable workforce development, coordinating complementary state, local, and private sector actions, identifying and addressing gaps that exist in the local workforce ecosystem, and catalyzing new partnerships. Already, partners on the ground are supporting these efforts through innovative approaches to training, recruiting, and retaining a diverse workforce.  

Progress To Date

  • One Network for Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP). Last week, Governor Hochul announced the launch of her $200 million ON-RAMP program. Through this effort, Empire State Development (ESD) will invest to create four advanced manufacturing workforce development centers across Upstate New York, including a flagship location in Syracuse. The centers will serve to better enable communities to recruit, train and place individuals from underrepresented communities into high tech manufacturing jobs. Modeled on the highly successful Northland Workforce Development Training Center, located on the East Side of Buffalo, NY, ON RAMP will focus on providing industry-informed training; job placement services, including direct engagement with employers seeking talent; and holistic wraparound services designed to help participants overcome barriers to success such as childcare, transportation, stipends, financial counseling and education, and more.
  • Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) “Real Life Rosies” Program. In August, the New York State Department of Labor announced funding under the Direct Entry Pre-Apprenticeship Program to expand the Real Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship direct entry pre-apprenticeship programs to Onondaga and Oswego counties. Real Life Rosies supports the training and skill development of women and individuals in underrepresented populations looking to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing. Through company tours and guaranteed job interviews, the program helps connect employers with skilled and job-ready individuals. The program was launched in the Mohawk Valley in collaboration with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC); The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties, Inc.; and community partners, with funding from ESD’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development. ESD anticipates scaling Real Life Rosies to other parts of the state.
  • National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) and NY CREATES Registered Apprenticeship Program. This month, NIICA and NY CREATES announced, the first cohort of apprentices entering its newly established Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). This competency-based program, which will support development of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, is part of NIICA’s overall Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program. The Center for Economic Growth, the region’s group sponsor and NIICA partner, is the sponsor of the program.
  • MACNY NY-RAMP. MACNY is establishing the New York Registered Apprenticeship Manufacturing Partnerships Program (NY-RAMP, through $6 million in funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative. MACNY will expand its existing programming to train 800 new apprenticeships for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing jobs. The first phase of the program will focus on Syracuse, the Mohawk Valley, Rochester, and Albany.
  • Broadening Research and Inter-Disciplinary Graduate Education (BRIDGE) for Microelectronics. The U.S. Department of Commerce and Natcast announced an anticipated award of $1.5 million to Rochester Institute of Technology as part of the inaugural NSTC Workforce Partner Alliance Program, The anticipated award will help implement the Broadening Research and Inter-Disciplinary Graduate Education (BRIDGE) for Microelectronics program, with the goal to train 555 students at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, and through a new online certificate program, across microelectronics-related educational tracks. The program emphasizes education, industry collaboration, and student support to address workforce shortages in the microelectronics sector. 
  • Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund. Micron and New York State launched the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund, a $500 million effort to support workforce development, education, and other community priorities related to the project and expected economic growth. The CIF, seeded by a $100 million State commitment and $250 million Micron commitment, will invest directly into projects aimed at creating good-paying jobs in the region in the coming years, with specific focus on creating equitable and effective workforce development pipelines.
  • NSF and Micron STEM Teacher Training Investment. The U.S. National Science Foundation and the Micron Foundation announced an investment in four projects to advance STEM education training to foster a more robust microelectronics workforce. The investment will support the development of highly effective K-12 teachers in high-need, under-resourced school districts.
  • Micron and GlobalFoundries Adopted the CHIPS Women in Construction Framework. In May, the Department of Commerce launched the CHIPS Women in Construction Framework, a set of five best practices that the semiconductor manufacturing companies that oversee the entirety of any potential CHIPS-funded construction project can voluntarily adopt to expand participation in the construction workforce. Both Micron and GlobalFoundries, have adopted the Framework and are developing the specific actions they will implement with contractors, labor unions, and other community and workforce partners. 
  • Micron Partnerships with Community Colleges. As part of its commitment to developing a robust local talent pipeline in New York, Micron has forged strong partnerships with local communities, universities, and community colleges – including Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College (OCC). In August, Syracuse University announced, that it will soon launch a program for military members and their families interested in entering the semiconductor workforce, paid for entirely by Micron. The new workforce pathway, offered at no cost both online and in-person at military bases across the country, will be run through their D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and its “Onward to Opportunity” program. Micron is also partnering with the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York and surrounding education providers, including OCC, to design and launch a Registered Apprenticeship program in New York to support workforce needs.
  • GlobalFoundries (GF) Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Program. The GF PMT proposes approximately $10 million in dedicated workforce development funding to work with local workforce, education, training, and community-based organizations to provide GF with the facilities and construction talent they need now and in the future. GF also continues to build upon its GF Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Program, which is the first U.S. registered semiconductor apprenticeship program and graduated its first apprentices in 2022. The first-of-its-kind apprenticeship program provides opportunities for individuals with no prior experience or training in the semiconductor industry, offering full-time paid positions and cost-free college courses to high school graduates.  
  • NY CREATES Veteran Semiconductor Training and Experience Program, or Vet S.T.E.P. Governor Hochul announced Vet S.T.E.P, part of the Department of Defense SkillBridge network, to prepare soon-to-be veterans for technician careers in the semiconductor ecosystem (fabs, equipment and/or material suppliers). The 10-week program consists of a two-week, hands-on training, followed by an 8-week internship with a company partner.
  • Syracuse Build. Syracuse Build is a community initiative launched, by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh to support local construction activity by connecting job seekers from Syracuse’s historically marginalized communities with career pathways in construction related fields. CenterState CEO’s Work Train team connected resources and partners to help with this launch and have been instrumental in the development of Syracuse Build’s signature program, Pathways to Apprenticeship. This signature program focuses on helping women, people of color and veterans gain access to the building trades’ registered apprenticeship programs. It is designed to prepare a local workforce for the significant demand for construction jobs, beginning with a focus on opportunities related to I-81 construction. Syracuse Build is housed within CNY Works and supported by the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Syracuse University, and Upstate Medical University Hospital.

Moving forward, the Upstate New York Workforce Hub expects to support and announce further efforts that help meet the training needs of the nascent semiconductor industry and related investments in the region by fostering collaborations with partners such as labor unions, employers, and education and training providers.

To download the fact sheet, click here. 

Read Article at U.S. Department of Commerce here. 

Governor Hochul News Release: Governor Hochul Celebrates More Than $30 Million Awarded From the U.S. Department of Defense for Nordtech Research Teams

Federal Awards will Support the Northeast as a Department of Defense Innovation Hub and Spur Development of a Domestic Microelectronics Manufacturing Industry

Strengthens Direct Pathway to Commercialization from “Lab to Fab” for Cutting-Edge Research and Development in New York Stat

Read Governor Hochul’s Press Release Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated $30 million in awards from the federal Department of Defense (DoD) for the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH), the New York State-headquartered hub for the U.S. Microelectronics Commons program. Four innovative projects by hub participants have been selected in the technical areas of Quantum Technology and Commercial Leap Ahead Technology, which includes power electronics, magnetics, and integrated photonics. The dedicated work on these advanced projects is already underway.

“This significant investment for NORDTECH will provide a major boost to our economy and further establish New York as a global leader in technology,” Governor Hochul said. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris administration, Majority Leader Schumer, and all of our federal partners who passed the CHIPS and Science Act, which has helped build the next generation of semiconductor and microelectronic research, manufacturing, and job training right here in New York.”

NORDTECH Technical Director Nicholas Fahrenkopf said, “NORDTECH is honored to have our projects selected by the Department of Defense to accelerate the maturation of novel microelectronics technologies. These newly funded research collaborations consisting of more than 20 different government and academic experts underscore our collective strength and dedication to meeting the Department of Defense’s needs with high-end technological solutions.”

The Microelectronics Commons was formed to create a direct pathway to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign microelectronics and safeguard the nation from supply chain risks. NORDTECH is a regional consortium of government labs, defense companies, academic institutions, and technology manufacturing organizations in New York State and one of eight hubs composing the U.S. Microelectronics Commons program. NORDTECH’s five founding members, who comprise the hub’s leadership team and governance committee, include the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), the University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM.

A full list of funded projects led by NY CREATES, AIM Photonics and Cornell University, Cornell, and Rochester Institute of Technology, respectively, can be found here: www.nordtechub.org/nordtech-news/dod-award.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Upstate NY is leading the future of innovation for America’s national security in the chip industry. Upstate NY’s top research institutions from Cornell and RIT to NY CREATES and more are now partnering with the Department of Defense to make the technology that will drive this industry for the next century. This significant $27+ million puts Upstate NY in the driver’s seat for the discoveries that the chip and defense industry say will be pivotal to the future of this technology. I crafted my CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY as my north star, because I knew that with targeted federal investments communities across New York could bring this industry back from overseas to America. Now from the Capital Region to Central NY to Western NY that is happening and this major award from the Department of Defense will help us seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive new innovation and to train our workers to make sure major breakthroughs for the future of this technology are discovered and made here in the Empire State.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “This $30+ million in federal funding for NORDTECH will not only advance the cutting-edge research and development that is happening in New York State but will also provide a major boost to our national security,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see DoD making this vital investment and will continue to fight to secure federal support to boost the microelectronics manufacturing industry in New York State.”

Representative Paul Tonko said, “When I fought to get our CHIPS and Science Act through Congress and signed into law, investments like this one were exactly what I had in mind. With this significant influx of federal funding, our state will continue to serve as a global hub for advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence — creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our local economies while also bolstering our national security. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for providing NORDTECH with the resources it needs to advance these groundbreaking projects, and I remain committed to ensuring that New York continues to lead on the world stage by driving innovation and growth in the emerging microelectronics industry.”

Representative Joe Morelle said, “This $30 million award is yet another example of New York State’s leadership in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing, and I’m grateful to the Department of Defense and the Biden Administration for recognizing our region’s immense potential. Paired with our historic Regional Technology Hub designation, this award for NORDTECH will help ensure our competitiveness on the national and global stages. I look forward to working with NORDTECH and all my partners to continuing challenging what we know to be possible and writing the next chapter of our innovation story.”

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “I am thrilled that the Department of Defense has awarded $30 million to NORDTECH projects, this extraordinary investment marks a transformative moment for New York’s role in advancing the future of defense technology. Under my leadership the New York Senate Majority has made significant investments to support the growth of New York’s microelectronics manufacturing from the expansion of the Excelsior Jobs program to the Green Chips program and our ongoing support of NY CREATES, as well as the University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE). We are committed to continue fostering an atmosphere of entrepreneurship and technological advancement to ensure that New York continues to lead the nation with innovative research collaborations that will have a transformative impact in our burgeoning domestic microelectronics manufacturing industry.”

NY CREATES’ Vice President of Research Dr. Satyavolu Papa Rao said, “We are grateful that the Department of Defense has recognized the groundbreaking potential of this project, and the excellence of the team that will deliver the results. This selection for a federal award is a testament to the cutting-edge research at NY CREATES toward creating scalable quantum technologies, and the leadership of the team members in the many aspects of qubit design and fabrication. We are excited to start executing on this important effort, to pave the way for significant advancements in quantum technologies by a vibrant and growing quantum community. We are committed to the hard work required to make a lasting impact that will enhance national security and drive improvements in the field of quantum computing.”

AIM Photonics Development Manager Dr. Lewis Carpenter said, “AIM Photonics’ proposal is in response to the DoD’s growing interest in quantum photonic technologies as specified in the Microelectronics Commons project calls. Quantum Ultra-broadband Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (QUPICS) offers a quantum photonic platform that would give capability for commercial and DoD applications that could significantly enhance the types of chip-scale quantum optoelectronic systems working in the visible, near infrared, and infrared. QUPICS will enable the integration of key technologies, which will be a game changer for trapped ion, neutral atom, and photonic quantum technologies.”

Cornell Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Krystyn Van Vliet said, “This first round of the Microelectronics Commons’ technical research projects selected by the Department of Defense through NORDTECH marks the beginning of a new opportunity to move great new ideas more nimbly from lab to fab to prototype. Out of many compelling proposals to move great ideas in microelectronics materials and devices from lab to fab, these teams including several co-led or partnered with Cornell researchers were selected to sprint and pressure test this national experiment to accelerate and stabilize microelectronics manufacturing innovation in the US. These new project teams of industry, academia, and federal labs — will also have access to equipment in expertly staffed facilities like those at Cornell that are part of NORDTECH’s ecosystem. I am looking forward to all that Cornell researchers and their project partners across New York and the U.S. will contribute to NORDTECH and the Microelectronics Commons. Projects like the one co-led by Cornell’s Dr. Karan Mehta to advance quantum technology, and the one led by Cornell’s Dr. Debdeep Jena on materials-enabled advances key to powering electronics can show the power of diverse research teams in action. Not only will these project teams aim to demonstrate leap-aheads on technical challenges in microelectronics materials and devices using the NORDTECH ecosystem, these project teams will also foster the next generation of ambitious, creative US talent pipeline that better connect the dots between lab to fab, between discovery and utility, and between societal need to societal benefit.”

Rochester Institute of Technology Vice President of Research and Associate Provost Dr. Ryne Raffaelle said, “RIT takes great pride in being at the forefront of microelectronics and information science since their inception. Working with our partners in the DoD Microelectronic Commons NORDTECH Hub and the Air Force Research Lab on future quantum networks ensures that we will continue to play an important role in these areas and the future of our nation’s industrial base in these critical technologies. I am tremendously excited about using our, and the other chip fabrication infrastructure in our region and state, to help realize the promise of quantum tech and increase U.S. competitiveness and economic impact for our nation.”

Governor Hochul’s Innovation Agenda

This federal award builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to driving innovation across New York State to attract major employers and create good-paying, 21st century jobs. As part of her FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a $275 million investment in Empire AI, a consortium of seven founding institutions that will create and launch a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center in Buffalo that will put New York State at the cutting-edge of AI research.

Governor Hochul also signed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation to drive semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing in New York State and announced a $10 billion partnership to bring next-generation chips research to NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. By leveraging federal CHIPS and Science Act incentive opportunities with state funding, the Governor’s initiatives have unlocked historic investments from the semiconductor industry, including a $100 billion investment from Micron to build a world-class chipmaking facility and create 50,000 jobs in Central New York, as well as investments from GlobalFoundries, IBM, TTM Technologies, Menlo Micro and other semiconductor and supply chain businesses.

In addition, the Governor has continued to advance a $620 million Life Science Initiative to support innovation in biomedical research. And through strategic investments like the $113.7 million Battery-NY initiative, Governor Hochul has fueled the growth of the sustainability, green technology, and energy storage economies in New York State.

The Governor’s innovation agenda has catalyzed major public and private investments, transforming New York’s economy and creating good-paying jobs of the future. GlobalFoundries recently announced an $11.6 billion investment to expand its chip manufacturing campus in New York’s Capital Region, creating 1,500 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. In 2022, Micron announced a 20-year, $100 billion investment to create a megafab campus in Central New York, creating 50,000 new direct and indirect jobs and unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars in community benefits. The Governor’s Life Science Initiative helped to solidify New York’s selection for the $300 million Chan Zuckerberg Biohub New York, a biomedical research hub in New York City, and significant investments from Schrödinger, Inc., Deerfield Discovery and Development, and other life sciences businesses. Earlier this year, the National Science Foundation also announced a $160 million investment in Binghamton University’s New Energy New York Storage Engine to establish a hub for innovation, technology translation, and workforce development to grow the capacity of the domestic battery industry.

About the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH)

NORDTECH is a regional coalition of public and private sector experts in the Microelectronics Commons region in and around New York State, established in September 2023 as part of the first major award from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. NORDTECH’s five founding members who compose the leadership team and governance committee of the hub include: the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), the University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM. NORDTECH’s board is advised by diverse participating member organizations, including small and medium semiconductor manufacturing companies, universities and community colleges, and major corporations that are service providers and leaders in semiconductor device design, fabrication and production. Learn more at nordtechub.org.

News Coverage:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Office: Schumer Announces Nearly $30 Million for Ny’s Microelectronic Commons Hub via Department of Defense to Boost Semiconductor R&D and Workforce Training at Upstate Universities for America’s National Security Thanks to His Chips & Science Law

Times Union: New York tech consortium focused on defense work gets $30 million

Spectrum News: Nearly $30M in Defense Department Spending Going to N.y. Microelectronic Commons Hub, Schumer Says

FingerLakes1.com: $27 million in Defense Department funding boosts New York’s microelectronics research

The Daily Orange: DOD awards $30 million to New York ‘Microelectronic Commons’ hub

Syracuse.com: Upstate NY receives nearly $30M federal grant to boost semiconductor, other tech research

NY CREATES Featured in Computerworld Article on High-Tech Workforce Development

Computerworld: A US Semiconductor Industry in Crisis Needs a Workforce That Doesn’t Yet Exist.

 

In the past, entry-level positions in the semiconductor industry were rarely noticed by job seekers outside the industry. That changed as would-be workers saw new opportunities for training and advancement.

But new employees who’ve never worked in the semiconductor field can get “imposter syndrome” working in high-tech jobs that often require math and science backgrounds. “I encourage them to not get overwhelmed,” said Joe Rodino, a cleanroom operations manager for NY CREATES, a non-profit semiconductor R&D facility in Albany, NY. “I tell them to trust the training programs we have and the mentors you’re given. As long as they’re hard workers, opportunities will present themselves. Math isn’t even required for a lot of the jobs.”

Rodino himself had been working in customer service at a large electronics retailer 11 years ago when he decided to change careers and attended a job fair. He was offered an entry-level job as a cleanroom operator working nights at NY CREATES; over time, he moved to a daytime shift and advanced as opportunities arose. He now manages 13 employees, and mentors apprentices.

Read the entire article HERE.

NY CREATES selected as ‘Strategist of the Year’ by Albany Business Review

Albany Business Review

“The 2024 class of Achievers represent people, companies and organizations that are creating jobs, taking risks and even changing skylines. They have found a way to thrive amidst constant change.

“As president of NY CREATES, the state-backed organization that manages the Albany Nanotech Complex, David Anderson believes there is no other facility like it in the U.S. The organization is strategically positioning itself to build on that distinction through investments such as the new NanoFab Reflection project that’s currently under construction…”

Read Albany Business Review’s NY CREATES recognition article HERE (paywall). 

Read about other aware recipients HERE (paywall). 

NY CREATES Announced Candidates for 2024 Cleanroom Operator Registered Apprenticeship Program

NY CREATES cleanroom and cleanroom operators walking

The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) and NY CREATES, announced the debut of the first cohort of apprentices entering its newly established Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). This competency-based program, which will support development of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, is part of NIICA’s overall Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program. The Center for Economic Growth, the region’s group sponsor and NIICA partner, is the sponsor of the program. 

After a comprehensive interview process conducted by an experienced selection committee, it was announced that the five candidates for the 2024 NY CREATES Cleanroom Operator (CRO) RAP are as follows:

  • Wayne Burt, D1 META – Research Support Specialist: Wayne holds an associate degree in Semiconductor Technology and brings a wealth of research experience to the program.
  • Lea Montana, D2 CSR – Research Technician III: Lea’s background in Applied Science, with courses in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, makes her a perfect fit for advancing in cleanroom operations.
  • Joseph Davignon, D1 CSR, Research Technician II: Joseph, who has a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media, combines technical expertise with innovative problem-solving skills.
  • Quazi Ummehany, D1 CSR, Research Technician III: Quazi, who earned a Master of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, offers a unique perspective and leadership potential.
  • Kyle Huffer, D2 META, Research Technician II: Kyle is a Columbia High School graduate with remarkable dedication and eagerness to excel in the semiconductor industry.we
From Left to Right: Joe Rodino (CRO Manager), Kyle Huffer (D2 META), Lea Montana (D2 CSR), Rick McDonald (CRO Manager)
Sean Roberts (CRO Manager), Joseph Davignon (D1 CSR)
Ryan Moore (CRO Manager), Quaszi Ummehany (D1 CSR)
Paul Woodin (CRO Manager), Wayne Burt (D1 META)

Program Overview:

The RAP will emphasis training current NY CREATES CRO employees, many of whom hold associate and bachelor’s degrees, accelerating their on-the-job training. Phase two will expand to include external recruitment from educational institutions in the K-12 system, creating a seamless pathway for graduating high school students to transition into apprenticeships at NY CREATES’ state-of-the-art research facility, which is supporting national efforts, such as the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act, and aims to enable future-related initiatives, such as the National Semiconductor Technology Center, that could mean billions of dollars in investments and hundreds of additional high-tech careers. 

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), a key regional training provider for NIICA’s GAINS RAPs, is playing an important role in delivering the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for the NY CREATES program. This collaboration with NY CREATES marks the second apprenticeship partnership with NIICA for HVCC, following their successful involvement in the first semiconductor apprenticeship program with GlobalFoundries.

Key Benefits:

  • Mentorship: Each apprentice will be paired with a mentor in the fab, ensuring guidance, safety, and support throughout the program.
  • Education: The program covers the cost of four courses (13 credits) at HVCC, valued at $6,000, which are stackable toward associate degrees.
  • Certification: Upon completion, apprentices will earn a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion from the New York State Department of Labor, signifying their mastery at the journey worker level.
  • Career Advancement: Program graduates are eligible to apply for open technician positions and are guaranteed an interview upon submission of their applications.

We want to also want to recognize CRO managers, Paul Woodin, Ryan Moore, Sean Roberts, Joe Rodino, and Rick McDonald for their dedication, time, and commitment to our apprenticeship program. Their support and leadership throughout this program not only contribute to the growth and development of their CRO team members that were selected for this program, but also plays a vital role in the overall success of this significant workforce development program at NY CREATES.

This apprenticeship program is a direct pathway to career advancement in the semiconductor industry, and we are excited to see these talented candidates improve their technical skills and how they will make a difference in cleanroom operations, driving improved research and development, and advancing prototyping capabilities. 

For more information about this program, and the organization’s impact on supporting and leading similar workforce development initiatives, please visit www.ny-creates.org.

Read the NY CREATES press release about this program HERE. 

National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ and NY CREATES Announce Innovative Registered Apprenticeship Program for the Semiconductor Industry

New program supports technicians at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, marking a national first for semiconductor research facilities

ALBANY, NY — The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) and NY CREATES, a world-leading non-profit research and development innovation hub and semiconductor commercialization facilitator, have announced the first cohort of apprentices entering its newly established Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

The innovative, competency-based program, which will support development of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science’s (NY CREATES’) Albany NanoTech Complex in New York, is part of NIICA’s overall Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program. The Center for Economic Growth, the region’s group sponsor and NIICA partner, is the sponsor of the program. 

From Left to Right: Joe Rodino (CRO Manager), Kyle Huffer (D2 META), Lea Montana (D2 CSR), Rick McDonald (CRO Manager)

Initially, the RAP will focus on training current NY CREATES employees, many of whom hold associate and bachelor’s degrees, accelerating their on-the-job training. Phase two will expand to include external recruitment from educational institutions in the K-12 system, creating a seamless pathway for graduating high school students to transition into apprenticeships at NY CREATES’ state-of-the-art research facility, which is supporting national efforts, such as the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act, and aims to enable future-related initiatives, such as the National Semiconductor Technology Center, that could mean billions of dollars in investments and hundreds of additional high-tech careers. 

“We see the GAINS program as an integral component of our workforce development strategy moving forward,” said NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, Dr. Robert Geer. “We intend to leverage this U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Registered Apprenticeship Program to create pathways for individuals throughout the region to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry, starting their careers right here at NY CREATES, as we enable leading-edge chip R&D and commercialization, economic advancement, and workforce development for New York State and the nation.”

Sean Roberts (CRO Manager), Joseph Davignon (D1 CSR)

“This cooperative program with NY CREATES is focused on developing the operational workforce at the nation’s leading non-profit chip R&D facility. Establishing a Registered Apprenticeship that provides a strong foundation for career advancement is an added benefit. As the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development, we are excited to be collaborating with NY CREATES on this model program,” said Mike Russo, President and CEO of NIICA. 

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), a key regional training provider for NIICA’s GAINS RAPs, is playing an important role in delivering the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for the NY CREATES program. This collaboration with NY CREATES marks the second apprenticeship partnership with NIICA for HVCC, following their successful involvement in the first semiconductor apprenticeship program with GlobalFoundries.

“We are proud to support this groundbreaking program under NIICA’s GAINS Registered Apprenticeship, sponsored by the Center for Economic Growth at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. This initiative will help existing workers improve their skills as well as make semiconductor careers accessible to individuals who might not have had such opportunities before. Participants will gain hands-on experience at the nation’s largest 300mm non-profit led semiconductor R&D facility, positioning them at the forefront of this critical industry,” said Officer in Charge, Louis Coplin from HVCC.

Ryan Moore (CRO Manager), Quaszi Ummehany (D1 CSR)

“As the Capital Region’s NYS DOL Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, we are thrilled to support the Institute’s GAINS program and this groundbreaking apprenticeship program at NY CREATES, which not only enhances the collaboration between academia and industry, but also paves the way for a robust pipeline of skilled technicians,” said Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer of the Center for Economic Growth. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to drive economic growth and innovation in the region, and we look forward to helping the program expand and thrive.”

The program will leverage NIICA’s National Talent Hub, developed with the support of SUNY and the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program (NSF-ATE). The Talent Hub serves as a single, integrated national system to attract talent, align skills and curriculum with job requirements, and target training to meet program needs. The Capital Region in New York was the launch site for the nation’s first Career Opportunity Hub and Gateway Apprenticeship Program, providing a direct and seamless path for students in public education to enter Registered Apprenticeships.

Paul Woodin (CRO Manager), Wayne Burt (D1 META)

The collaboration between NY CREATES and NIICA to bring Registered Apprenticeships to a leading semiconductor research and development facility is setting a new benchmark for workforce training and development within the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, ensuring a robust talent pipeline to support the industry’s future growth and technological advancement.

NIICA, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) national intermediary leading the expansion of the nation’s RAPs throughout semiconductor and broader nanotechnology-related industry supply chains, was formerly known as the National Institute for Innovation and Technology. For more information on the organization and its work across the country, visit www.niica.org. 

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About the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement

NIICA is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to identify roadblocks to innovation in strategic industry sectors, those important to the U.S. national security and global competitiveness, and ensure they are eliminated. NIICA is responsible for a national strategy to support the development of the talent pipeline to support advanced manufacturing and the tech sector – with a particular focus on the semiconductor industry supply chain.

NIICA’s National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative represents a comprehensive, nationally integrated approach that enables broader participation by promoting skills-based learning and hiring, connecting the public education system, returning service members and their families and adults from other occupations to related technician and engineering careers. For more information about NIICA, visit www.niica.org. 

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as a lab-to-fab bridge for advanced electronics, fostering public-private and industry-academic partnerships for technology development and innovation. NY CREATES attracts and leads industry-connected innovation and commercialization projects that secure significant investment, advance R&D in emerging technologies, and generate the jobs of tomorrow. NY CREATES runs some of the most advanced facilities in the world, boasts more than 2,700 industry experts and faculty, and manages public and private investments of more than $20 billion—placing it at the global epicenter of high-tech innovation and commercialization. Learn more at www.ny-creates.org.  

About the Center for Economic Growth

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is dedicated to driving economic growth in New York’s eight-county, 1.1-million-person Capital Region. As the nonprofit regional economic development organization, we do this by attracting investment and talent; growing manufacturing and workforce capabilities, leveraging industry clusters, and developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

We serve as a catalyst and work with partners and stakeholders to prepare the region to compete and move high-impact strategies and projects forward. An affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber, CEG is supported by investors in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sectors who are committed to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. For more information on CEG, visit www.ceg.org.

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