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
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.
