SCHUMER, HOCHUL ANNOUNCE NEW YORK RECEIVES FIRST-EVER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MICROELECTRONICS COMMONS HUB, DELIVERING $40 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT

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SCHUMER, HOCHUL ANNOUNCE NEW YORK RECEIVES FIRST-EVER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MICROELECTRONICS COMMONS HUB, DELIVERING $40 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT – FIRST MAJOR AWARD FROM SCHUMER’S CHIPS & SCIENCE ACT – TO BOLSTER NEW YORK’S BOOMING SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY AND TRAIN NEXT GENERATION OF NY’S TECH WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT AMERICA’S NATIONAL SECURITY

NORDTech, A Consortium Of NY Defense And Semiconductor Manufacturing Powerhouses Including NY CREATES, UAlbany, Cornell University, RPI, IBM And More, Is Among First In The Nation To Tap Major Fed Investment From Schumer’s CHIPS And Science Act

Schumer Created DoD’s Microelectronic Commons Program To Encourage Commercialization Of Key Tech For U.S. Microelectronics And Designers, Bringing R&D From ‘Lab To Fab’— To Launch New Companies, Support The NY Semiconductor Workforce, And Secure This Critical Technology For National Security

Schumer: We Are Building Future Of America’s Semiconductor Industry Here In NY— And Now First Major Award From CHIPS & Science Act Is Here To Supercharge New York’s Chip Companies And Workforce!

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a New York–based consortium has been awarded $40 million from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Microelectronic Commons Program.  This funding is one of the first major CHIPS awards from Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Act and will establish the infrastructure of the hub, allowing partners to bolster workforce training programs for the semiconductor industry and add new state-of-the-art microelectronics equipment.

The consortium, known as the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTech), led by NY CREATES, the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM, will bring together academia, industry, and government organizations to help supercharge New York’s booming chips industry to spur innovation, attract new companies, strengthen the workforce, and bolster this industry, which is vital to America’s national security.

“This first-ever Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons Hub award is booster fuel for the rocket that is Upstate New York’s booming microchip manufacturing industry. With New York as one of the first major CHIPS awards recipients, it is clear the feds are recognizing what I have long known, New York is the home of America’s semiconductor future. This $40 million Microelectronic Commons Hub will make sure research is turned into new companies and new jobs and supercharge New York’s semiconductor workforce, adding new state-of-the-art lab equipment to facilities across the state, and bringing new discoveries from lab to fab,” said Senator Schumer. “With the first major funding from my CHIPS & Science law on the way, there is no greater glowing welcome sign to say New York will be America’s semiconductor superhighway. And this is just the start! From the Capital Region to Central NY to New York City, this major award from the Department of Defense will help us seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in cutting-edge semiconductor technology and to train our workers to make major chip investments in the state like Micron and GlobalFoundries’ proposed expansion a success and ensure the next major breakthroughs for semiconductors are discovered here in New York State.”

“This transformative federal grant is not only a major investment in New York’s chips ecosystem – it’s an acknowledgment of everything we’ve accomplished so far to establish Chips Country in our state,” Governor Hochul said. “From our groundbreaking Green CHIPS legislation to Micron’s historic $100 billion commitment for a new campus creating 50,000 jobs in Central New York, we are laying the groundwork for a global hub for semiconductor businesses right here in New York State. I thank Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership in passing the federal CHIPS and Science Act and his help in securing this funding, and I look forward to a continued partnership with all of the local, state, and federal stakeholders as we advance our mission to bring the jobs and the businesses of the future to New York.”

This funding comes from the $2 billion CHIPS for America Defense Fund which Schumer helped establish in his CHIPS & Science Act. Schumer first successfully authorized the creation of the DoD Microelectronics Commons program as part of the authorization of the first-ever federal chips incentives and R&D programs in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) For Fiscal Year 2021.  Schumer then included in his U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) $52 billion in mandatory funding to implement these incentive and R&D programs, including $2 billion for the DoD Microelectronics Commons program. After passing the Senate in June 2021, USICA was eventually combined with similar House-passed legislation to become the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law in August 2022.

Schumer wrote to Defense Secretary Austin in support of the consortium and pulled out all the stops to deliver this support for NORDTech, including also personally calling the Defense Secretary to advocate for the proposal. He explained that with the funding, NORDTech, along with over 60 regional partners across the Northeast, will leverage their resources to sustain technology leadership and strengthen the New York regional ecosystem in semiconductors. NORDTech was one of eight hubs selected nationwide.

The $40 million in Department of Defense funds announced today will establish the NORDTech Hub infrastructure and processes. This will include new semiconductor-focused capital equipment located at several NORDTech member sites across New York State, as well as the people and processes that will rapidly make these key capabilities easily accessible to NORDTech members who conduct DoD-prioritized technical projects and workforce training opportunities. The membership includes NY CREATES at the Albany NanoTech Complex, University at Albany, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM, Cornell University, the Griffiss Institute, Mohawk Valley Community College, the NY CREATES Test Assembly and Packaging (TAP) facility located in Rochester, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and many more.

As an awardee of this competition to help establish the national Microelectronics Commons, the NORDTech Hub enables its member participants to pursue further funding through subsequent DoD funding opportunities for multi-million-dollar investment in microelectronics prototyping projects and workforce development activities. The senator said this investment is a force multiplier in New York State, because those small, medium, and large employers can then use the distributed NORDTech Hub in the Microelectronics Commons network to achieve technical project goals and workforce goals, helping launch next-generation semiconductor-based technology in a range of industries, and is delivering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to launch rewarding, highly skilled careers across the semiconductor supply network in New York State.

Schumer said this funding will also help lay the groundwork to ensure ongoing semiconductor projects are a success and to land additional federal funding for opportunities like becoming the major hub of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) in the Capital Region at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. Schumer has long said that the Albany NanoTech Complex is the most “shovel-ready” R&D facility in the country and ready to quickly stand up the NSTC. The multibillion-dollar Albany NanoTech Complex is the most advanced, publicly-owned, 300-millimeter semiconductor R&D facility in North America, has well-established partnerships with industry leaders, workforce training providers, and top academic research institutions across the country, including in critical logic and packaging capabilities, and is set up to immediately begin supporting the needs of the broader semiconductor ecosystem, including startups, small businesses, and the workforce. The site and its partners have a long record of accomplishment of groundbreaking research that has led to successful technology transfer, translating research into manufacturing.

Schumer has fought tirelessly to uplift the Capital Region and Upstate New York as a major hub to lead the nation in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Early this year, Schumer personally invited NY CREATES President David Anderson to President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address to highlight his push to land the NSTC in the Capital Region. Prior to the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, Schumer not only brought the Commerce Secretary to Malta to highlight opportunities for expansion at GlobalFoundries and across Upstate New York’s semiconductor industry, but also arranged for Secretary Raimondo to meet with NY CREATES and industry leaders, including from IBM and Applied Materials, to discuss the unique assets the region has for leading the NSTC.  Schumer also brought Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves to Albany to tour the Albany NanoTech Complex and see firsthand how the Capital Region is perfectly suited to stand up the NSTC and begin boosting the nation’s semiconductor industry.

The DoD’s Microelectronic Commons, funded by Schumer’s CHIPS and Science Act, is a network of microelectronics R&D infrastructure investments, including facilities, support for an ecosystem of companies of all sizes, and workforce development designed to empower industry and researchers in working with the DoD’s efforts in microelectronics development. With the creation of regional ecosystems funded by the DoD program, each focusing on key technology areas, the Microelectronics Commons will close the gap between research ideas and realization of those ideas, translating more research into new technology, new companies, and expansion of existing companies. The Commons is designed to enable sustained partnerships between emerging technology sources, manufacturing facilities, and interagency partners. It also works to develop a pipeline of talent to bolster local semiconductor economies and contribute more broadly to the growth of a domestic semiconductor workforce. Learn more at www.nordtechub.org.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is building for the future with strategic investments in next-generation technologies and workforce development to promote sustainable economic growth. This Department of Defense grant – and the collaborative efforts of the NORDTech partners – will strengthen our continued buildout of this dynamic industry, and we’re grateful to Senator Schumer and our federal partners for their support.”

Dave Anderson, President of NY CREATES said, “On behalf of NY CREATES, we are extremely grateful for the incredible leadership of Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Governor Hochul, who have both laid the groundwork for this exciting announcement through their continued delivery of strategic semiconductor-centered investments which have contributed to U.S. competitiveness while making our state the preeminent innovation hub in the nation. As a result of today’s announcement, we look forward to building the Northeast Defense Technology Hub in the Microelectronics Commons region in and around New York State with our partners, including the University at Albany’s CNSE, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and IBM. Initiatives like this are not only significant in and of themselves, but they also further foster growth of New York’s established high-tech ecosystem by leveraging our world-class semiconductor-focused resources, capabilities, and facilities to secure the future of microelectronics for the nation.”

“New York is home to one of America’s premier semiconductor ecosystems, delivering breakthroughs that have made chips more powerful, smaller, greener and ready for the era of artificial intelligence. IBM is proud to play a key part in that ecosystem alongside several of New York’s world class research universities. Our work together in this new Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons Hub will solidify the state’s role at the forefront of chip innovation. This leadership only happens through the hard work of leaders like Majority Leader Schumer, Governor Hochul and others,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM.

“This is tremendous news for Upstate New York and for the next generation of high-tech talent across the state,” said Heather Hage, President, and CEO of Griffiss Institute.  “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the tireless legislative work of Senator Schumer on last year’s CHIPS and Science legislation, and we thank him for his continued advocacy to help grow New York’s high-tech economy.  I would also like to thank Governor Hochul for her support of our vision for NORDTech, as well as the vote of confidence shown in our region by the Pentagon.  This new investment by our nation’s military demonstrates clearly that Upstate New York has what it takes to build the workforce of the future in highly secure, leading-edge semiconductor technology.  I’m proud the Griffiss Institute will contribute to this effort by leveraging our work with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate to help connect the Department of Defense with the world-class research and education capabilities across New York, with a focus on leading high-tech small businesses in emerging technologies such as quantum information science that will be critical to the next generation of microelectronics.”

“NORDTech is a great example of how academia, companies of all sizes, and economic development teamwork will enhance the future of the semiconductor industry in the U.S.,” notes Krystyn J. Van Vliet, Vice President for Research & Innovation at Cornell University. “Cornell appreciates the strong support of Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul to grow this field of research, discovery, translation and inclusive workforce creation across New York, and recognizes the contributions of the many researchers, technical staff, and organizations who built the NORDTech proposal to the Department of Defense. We look forward to working together to convert the potential energy of the MicroElectronic Commons Hubs into the kinetic energy of prototyping and outcomes for new semiconductor-intensive technologies and the expanded workforce that will create them.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Our thanks to Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Governor Hochul for providing the leadership and direction needed to drive growth in semiconductor research and development across our state. SUNY’s colleges and universities, powered by NY CREATES and UAlbany’s CNSE, are well positioned for this opportunity because we have state-of-the-art facilities hosting groundbreaking research, excellent faculty and researchers creating innovation, and strong workforce development programs preparing New Yorkers for in-demand careers. We are grateful for the significant investment announced today, and proud of our role in the NORDTech consortium.”

University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, “This is extraordinary news for the Capital Region, and the University at Albany is proud to be a part of the consortium that will strengthen and expand New York’s semiconductor sector. Albany NanoTech was early proof of the wisdom of NORDTech’s ‘lab to fab’ approach to microelectronic and semiconductor materials research, and CNSE has been an integral part of that success for nearly two decades. Now, thanks to the leadership of Sen. Schumer, Gov. Hochul and NY CREATES, UAlbany-CNSE stands ready to help ensure New York and the nation remain at the leading edge of semiconductor advances.”

Martin A. Schmidt, Ph.D., President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute said, “The next generation of microelectronics will be born in New York State. We are proud to be among the founding members of this consortium and are ready to get to work with our partners in higher education, industry, the Capital Region and beyond to make New York a leader in chips innovation. We thank Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul for their continued support and leadership to make this vision a reality.”

“I knew the CHIPS and Science Act would be a game-changer for our region — already a hub of innovation — to become the center of semiconductor resurgence for our nation and a key driver in this critical industry,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “That’s why I pushed hard to advance this key legislation alongside Majority Leader Schumer and our leading semiconductor manufacturing institutes. I’m thrilled to see this critical investment now being delivered. This funding, made possible through our CHIPS Act, will enable our centers of research, learning, and development to explode in potential, strengthening our economy and creating good paying jobs right here in our region and beyond. As we celebrate this historic announcement, I will continue pushing for federal action to deliver on the promise of a high-tech innovation economy hub in the Capital Region.”

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve fought for federal investment opportunities in innovation for our community,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This investment out of the CHIPS & Science Act is an exciting step forward in the fight to reestablish the US as a global leader of innovation, and it is no surprise the Finger Lakes Region is included in the first major award. I’m grateful to Senator Schumer for his leadership and collaboration and look forward to continued regional investments.”

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U.S. Department of Defense News Release: Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Announces $238M CHIPS and Science Act Award

View News Coverage:

WRGB CBS6 News: New York consortium lands $40 million CHIPS grant to advance semiconductor industry

Daily Gazette: New York receives $40 million to boost semiconductor industry from CHIPS and Science Act

IBM Newsroom Post: IBM CEO Statement on Landmark U.S. Semiconductor Funding in New York State

Central New York Business Journal: DoD awards New York–based consortium $40 million for semiconductor-workforce training, equipment

Times Union: New York consortium wins $40 million from CHIPS Act

Forbes: US DoD Awards $40M To NORDTech Hub For Microelectronics Research

 

Workforce Training Program Facilitates Manufacturing Careers at NY CREATES’ Gigafactory New York, Home to Tesla

Buffalo, NY – The Northland Workforce Training Center, along with New York lawmakers, Tesla and members of the greater Buffalo community, are celebrating the first-ever graduating class of Gigafactory New York’s Manufacturing Development Program.

In partnership with Northland Workforce Training Center, Tesla Gigafactory New York’s Manufacturing Development Program is designed to prepare graduating high school seniors in Western New York with the financial resources, coursework, and experience needed to launch successful careers in manufacturing and clean energy.

The Tesla Gigafactory is owned and supported by NY CREATES, which leads innovation-focused state-of-the-art research, development, and production centers across New York State, and, coupled with workforce development efforts and leading-edge R&D resources and capabilities, drives economic opportunities across a growing high-tech ecosystem.

View News Coverage by WKBW here.

View Related News Coverage by Buffalo Business First

Learn more about Tesla’s Prefabricated Supercharger Units, which are being manufactured at the New York Giga Factory.

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Media Contact:
Thomas Meara
tmeara@kivvit.com
(718) 309-3506

Northland Workforce Training Center Celebrates Inaugural Class of Manufacturing Development Program Graduates

Graduation Ceremony Commemorates the Achievements of 13 Manufacturing Development Program Students as They Embark on Careers in Manufacturing and Clean Energy as Full-Time Gigafactory New York Employees

Buffalo, NY – Today, Northland Workforce Training Center, along with New York lawmakers, Tesla and members of the greater Buffalo community, gathered with immense pride to celebrate the first-ever graduating class of Gigafactory New York’s Manufacturing Development Program.  

In partnership with Northland Workforce Training Center, Tesla Gigafactory New York’s Manufacturing Development Program is designed to prepare graduating high school seniors in Western New York with the financial resources, coursework, and experience needed to launch successful careers in manufacturing and clean energy.

“The Manufacturing Development Program underscores the importance of investing in our local workforce and ensuring that the next generation of Western New Yorkers are prepared to fill the good-paying jobs that companies like Tesla are bringing to our region,” said Stephen Tucker, President and CEO of the Northland Workforce Training Program. “I am incredibly proud of what these hard-working students have learned and accomplished during their time in the Manufacturing Development Program and look forward to their continued success as they take the next steps in their manufacturing careers here at Gigafactory New York”  

“I am excited to get to work, but also thankful that the program offered me an opportunity to learn a set of transferable skills that will help me throughout my career,” said Shytaneara Porter. “This is an opportunity to work in a rapidly growing clean energy sector that will benefit my local community and New York State’s broader transition to clean energy options.”

This year’s inaugural graduating class of 13 students has not only completed their intensive training but are now poised to contribute their skills and enthusiasm as full-time Production Associates at Gigafactory in New York.  

“Tesla’s partnership with the Northland Workforce Training Center is critical to developing local talent for great careers in advanced manufacturing and energy,” said Tope Ogunniyi, Senior Manager for Gigafactory New York Operations. “We are proud to partner with Northland to develop the workforce of the future. This marks the beginning of MDP at Gigafactory New York, and our intention is to continue to expand this program to more Buffalonians. The thirteen graduates we are celebrating today are getting more than a job, they are getting a pathway to a rewarding career that will impact New York State’s ability to meet its clean energy goals. It is an exciting day for them, for Tesla and for the City of Buffalo.”

“Congratulations to the graduates of Tesla’s Manufacturing Development Program. Your hard work has paid off, you will now become a part of Buffalo’s growing manufacturing industry,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “Thank you to Tesla, for joining forces with the Northland Workforce Training Center to help create a pathway to success for our local workforce.”

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The Northland Workforce Training Center serves as a hub for advanced manufacturing education and workforce development, nurturing skilled talent in Buffalo, New York, and empowering individuals to embark on successful careers in high-demand industries.

NY CREATES BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 29

WHAT: New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) Board Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 12 p.m.

WHERE: Albany NanoTech Complex

NanoFab East (NFE), Room 2107

257 Fuller Road

Albany, NY 12203

This meeting is open to the public.

A webcast will be available here.

*Due to building security, members of the public or media planning to attend are required to RSVP by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28.*

 

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NY CREATES PARTNERS WITH NIIT TO LAUNCH FIRST-IN-THE-NATION CAREER OPPORTUNITY HUB AT ALBANY NANOTECH TO GROW THE SEMICONDUCTOR WORKFORCE PIPELINE

New Hub Will Connect More New Yorkers To Careers And Strengthen The Albany NanoTech Complex’s Position To Secure National Semiconductor Technology Center

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 12, 2023

Contact: Jason Conwall | jconwall@ny-creates.org | (518) 956-7373

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science (NY CREATES), in partnership with the National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT), today launched the nation’s first Career Opportunity Hub at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York’s Capital Region. The new program is focused on growing the semiconductor workforce – a key component of the future National Semiconductor Technology Center and critical to the entire U.S. chip industry – and represents America’s first semiconductor-specific Registered Apprenticeship Program within a world-leading semiconductor research and development, innovation, and commercialization facility.

“NY CREATES partnering with the NIIT to host the New York Opportunity Hub bolsters our commitment to workforce training for the state and the nation. Driven by Senator Schumer’s visionary CHIPS Act legislation, this partnership will help build New York’s leadership in semiconductor innovation and benefit our most important resource – the talent that will become the workforce of the future,” said David Anderson, President of NY CREATES. “The timing of this partnership couldn’t be better. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul, New York is preparing for a dramatic expansion of semiconductor facilities and jobs in our state with projects announced by Micron, GlobalFoundries, Edwards, IBM, and more.  As we position ourselves to welcome the centerpieces of the CHIPS Act to New York – the National Semiconductor Technology Center and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program – we understand that building tomorrow’s workforce today is not only important, it’s critical to a successful future.”

The New York Career Opportunity Hub will leverage NY CREATES nation-leading facilities – the Albany NanoTech Complex – to connect the talent from across the state with the semiconductor industry. It will enable high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities to see precisely what skills are needed for their students to enter semiconductor careers. It will also connect job seekers with training programs, apprenticeships, and certificate programs so they can power New York’s semiconductor employers, helping to deliver on the promises of the CHIPS Act for the nation to reassert its leadership in microelectronics.

Additionally, NY CREATES’ partnership with the NIIT is establishing the nation’s first semiconductor-specific Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) within a world-leading semiconductor R&D, innovation, and commercialization facility for advanced digital, analog, and power technologies through NIIT’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program and in partnership with the Capital Region Center for Economic Growth (CEG). GAINS provides individuals the ability to learn on the job while building experience and skills through working with industry partners and is designed to meet the workforce demands of the semiconductor and nanotechnology-related fields.

“With my CHIPS & Science Act as the oxygen, we are breathing new life into Upstate New York as the manufacturing powerhouse it can be once again. The launch of America’s first ever Career Opportunity Hub for building the chip tech workforce will train the next generation to fill the thousands of good-paying jobs in the semiconductor, advanced manufacturing and tech industries to help communities from the Capital Region to Central New York, from Binghamton to Buffalo grow and help lead the nation in manufacturing again,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “This program will help give Upstate New York the talent pipeline it needs, sparking students’ interest from K-12 to higher education, and connecting students and workers with tech industry leaders like GlobalFoundries, Applied Materials, and Plug Power for registered apprenticeships that will give them the skills they need to build America’s technological future. From the little girl who dreams of being an engineer, to the father attending community college to upgrade his career, the Career Opportunity Hub, combined with the growth of industry from my CHIPS & Science Act, will help ensure the next generation of young scientists and innovators secure good-paying jobs, here in Upstate NY.”

Schumer added, “Today’s announcement is further proof of how Albany NanoTech is ready to serve as a leading innovation hub of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. Nowhere else in the country is more prepared, with unique partnerships across sectors, including in workforce training, which is a key priority for NSTC. From K-12 schools to community colleges and world-renowned research universities, Albany NanoTech has well-established, long-standing partnerships in place across the country, and today’s announcement further underscores their significant workforce training capabilities to lead the NSTC and quickly serve the needs of the nation’s semiconductor industry.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, said “This new partnership will be a tremendous asset to the Capital Region. It will create numerous good-paying, in-demand semiconductor jobs and help ensure that New York remains a national leader in advanced electronics. I congratulate NY CREATES, NIIT, and everyone involved in this partnership and look forward to seeing it in action.”

Congressman Paul D. Tonko said, “I’m proud to celebrate this landmark effort by NY CREATES and NIIT to pave the way for a brighter future in our nation’s tech-based industries. By establishing America’s first Career Opportunity Hub right here in our Capital Region, NIIT is building on the steps we’ve taken through the CHIPS and Science Act and other efforts to turn our region into a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and high-tech innovation. In collaboration with our partners in education, industry and government, we are building a strong technological ecosystem that will not only strengthen our local economy, but also bolster our national security and enhance our nation’s competitiveness on the global stage.”

 SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “SUNY is proud to have the first semiconductor Career Opportunity Hub right here in the Capital Region. The semiconductor industry will require a range of careers from manufacturing to highly skilled labor, communications and marketing, accounting, software development, and management. These are accessible jobs that are in high demand, and through partnerships like this with NIIT, we can help our students see the value of a career in semiconductor manufacturing and ultimately build the talent pipeline needed for this emerging industry.”

The Opportunity Hub is built on the formative partnership between NY CREATES, the State University of New York (SUNY), NIIT, and the National Science Foundation to build the National Talent Hub (NTH) and establish its first statewide pilot with SUNY Polytechnic Institute and multiple SUNY community colleges to create a one-of-kind connection between the semiconductor industry and higher education, an essential goal of the CHIPS Act. The Hub will utilize a broad range of programs and support structures to build the region’s tech talent pipeline. Career Opportunity Hubs are part of NIIT’s larger, nationwide strategy to grow the workforce in tech-based industries. The strategy helps to ensure the entire education system provides a skills-based pathway to careers and “learn and earn” opportunities through innovative Registered Apprenticeships.

 

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as New York’s bridge to the advanced electronics industry. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, 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 ny-creates.org.  

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NY CREATES ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE RESEARCH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND SEMICONDUCTOR INNOVATION IN NEW YORK

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 22, 2023

Contact: Jason Conwall | jconwall@ny-creates.org | (518) 956-7373

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Science, Technology and Engineering (NY CREATES) and the Korea Institute of Advancement of Technology (KIAT) recently signed a Joint Declaration to promote collaboration and partnership between the two organizations in the field of technological innovation, with a primary focus on semiconductors. The agreement was signed last month in Washington, D.C., during the official state visit of Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol. At the signing ceremony, NY CREATES President David Anderson and KIAT President Byung-joo Min were joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Republic of Korea Minister of Technology, Industry, and Energy Lee Chang Yang.

“The semiconductor industry is global and as we work to boost domestic research and production, it remains critically important for U.S. organizations like NY CREATES to partner and collaborate with international allies like the KIAT – the country’s premier institute for promoting innovation in industrial technology,” said David Anderson, President, NY CREATES. “This is the latest example of our successful efforts to establish partnerships with leading organizations from around the world and opens the door for Korean companies to come to New York, where we have established the nation’s most advanced research and development facilities and a thriving semiconductor ecosystem.”

The new agreement establishes a formal partnership that offers a unique framework for promoting collaboration between U.S. entities and Republic of Korea companies and research institutes. As part of the agreement, NY CREATES and KIAT will organize joint seminars, meetings, and other activities to promote cooperation in innovation, education, and workforce development between companies and educational institutions from Korea and New York.

NY CREATES will support the U.S. component of the collaboration by providing access to its world-leading facilities for R&D and prototyping – the Albany NanoTech Complex – as well as scientists and researchers. NY CREATES has an established history of serving as a commercialization facilitator in advanced digital, analog and power technologies and helps to accelerate the growth of high-value, high-technology companies.

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as New York’s bridge to the advanced electronics industry. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, 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 ny-creates.org.

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From L to R: Republic of Korea Minister of Technology, Industry and Energy Lee Chang Yang; KIAT President Byung-joo Min; NY CREATES President David Anderson; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo

Photo Credit: KIAT

NY CREATES and Israel Innovation Authority Sign Joint Declaration to Collaborate on Semiconductor Innovation

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Contact: Jason Conwall | jconwall@ny-creates.org | (518) 956-7373

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Science, Technology and Engineering (NY CREATES) and the Israel Innovation Authority recently signed an agreement to promote collaboration and partnership between the two organizations in the field of technological innovation. The agreement was signed at the conclusion of a New York trade mission to Israel, led by Empire State Development’s Global NY division, during which NY CREATES and New York companies met with prospective Israeli customers and business partners. As part of the agreement, NY CREATES seeks to connect with Israeli innovation and research entities in the field of semiconductors.

“Collaboration is critical to innovation, which is why we are excited about our new partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority as we will work together on research and development to advance semiconductor technologies,” said David Anderson, President, NY CREATES. “Israel has many promising early-stage companies with inventive new ideas, and NY CREATES has the world-class facilities and expertise to help transform those ideas into new technologies with real-world applications. We look forward to our partnership and working together to grow companies and new technologies, expand markets, and strengthen the semiconductor industry here at home and globally.”

“On the backdrop of a global semiconductors’ supply chain crisis, and the US government backwind for investments within this specific sector, the Israel Innovation Authority identified this specific opportunity to collaborate with a leading semiconductor R&D entity,” said Dror Bin, CEO, Israel Innovation Authority. “This agreement will enable Israeli semiconductor companies to operate in some of the most advanced facilities worldwide, and gain better exposure to the US market and other relevant global entities.”

The new agreement establishes a partnership that offers a unique framework for technological cooperation and piloting between US entities and innovative Israeli companies and research facilities. As part of the agreement, the Israel Innovation Authority will support NY CREATES in identifying technological developments and scouting Israeli companies that fall within its sphere of activity. The Israel Innovation Authority will provide funding for the Israeli companies, while NY CREATES will support the US component of the collaboration by providing access to its world-leading facilities for R&D and prototyping – the Albany NanoTech Complex – as well as scientists and researchers. NY CREATES has an established history of serving as a commercialization facilitator in advanced digital, analog and power technologies and helps to accelerate the growth of high-value, high-technology companies.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Providing opportunities for international trade is an important part of ensuring New York businesses succeed now and into the future, especially in key industries such as semiconductors. I am pleased that NY CREATES and the Israel Innovation Authority will work together to keep New York State at the forefront of research and development and create economic opportunities throughout state.”

Shlomi Kofman, VP & Head of International Collaboration Division at the Israel Innovation Authority said, “The Innovation Authority is pleased to announce the signing of this collaboration agreement with the NY-based commercialization center, NY CREATES in the field of semiconductors, considering the unique opportunity it provides Israeli R&D companies in the field of semiconductors. We will continue our global activities with the aim of opening new markets for Israeli companies and academia thus ensure Israel’s continued technological leadership despite the challenging global semiconductor situation.”

 

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as New York’s bridge to the advanced electronics industry. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, 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 ny-creates.org.

About Israel Innovation Authority

Fueled by a vibrant entrepreneurial culture, robust technological infrastructure and highly skilled human workforce that produces the most substantial number of startups per capita in the world, innovation is one of Israel’s most valuable natural resources. At the same time, Israel is today home to over 350 R&D centers of multinational corporations, many of them Fortune 500 companies, illustrating Israel’s profound and disproportionate impact on the advancement of global innovation as well.

The Israel Innovation Authority, an independent publicly funded agency, was created to provide a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at effectively addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems. This includes early-stage entrepreneurs, mature companies developing new products or manufacturing processes, academic groups seeking to transfer their ideas to the market, global corporations interested in collaborating with Israeli technology, Israeli companies seeking new markets abroad and traditional factories and plants seeking to incorporate innovative and advanced manufacturing into their businesses.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov

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NY CREATES AND BLEXIMO ANNOUNCE NEW QUANTUM COMPUTING R&D PARTNERSHIP AT ALBANY NANOTECH COMPLEX

Company Will Expand Operations From California to New York

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Contact:
NY CREATES: Jason Conwall | JConwall@ny-creates.org | (518) 956-7373
Bleximo: Dr. Alexei Marchenkov | alexei@bleximo.com

Albany, NY – Bleximo Corp., a full-stack quantum computing system integration firm, today announced plans to expand its design, prototyping, and marketing operations to the Albany NanoTech Complex in Upstate New York. The company will also establish a research and development partnership with the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), a non-profit organization that accelerates innovation, facilitates public-private partnerships, and operates the nation’s most advanced, publicly-owned semiconductor research center.

Quantum computing promises to usher in a new era of modelling, simulation, and optimization capabilities that will lead to new discoveries and productivity improvements, tackle climate challenges, and improve quality of life. This advanced technology will impact many diverse disciplines, including but not limited to defense and national security, pharmaceuticals, medicine, manufacturing, materials science, finance, and supply chain.

Dr. Alexei Marchenkov, CEO, Bleximo said, “NY CREATES’ technical capabilities as well as a track record of successfully supporting technology commercialization efforts, make it a unique hub for Bleximo’s aggressive development and commercialization schedule of its next-generation quantum computing systems. A partnership with NY CREATES is essential to rapidly develop, scale, and commercialize Bleximo’s patent-pending modular superconducting application-specific quantum processors (ASQPs) with integrated cryogenic silicon photonics control system”

David Anderson, President, NY CREATES said, “Quantum technologies are already enabling many of today’s most important innovations and advances in computing, semiconductors, microelectronics, and numerous other industries. NY CREATES world-class facilities are a unique environment that supports start-up companies by providing access to the latest state-of-the-art tools and equipment. We are excited to bring in Bleximo, along with their impressive capabilities, as a partner at the Albany NanoTech Complex and look forward to welcoming the Bleximo team to Upstate New York.”

Bleximo, headquartered in Berkeley, California, will expand operations and establish a team in Albany, NY, that will work closely with NY CREATES researchers and staff to help support expanding its R&D activities. Bleximo brings unique superconducting quantum hardware design, fabrication, testing and operational know-how, advanced electronic design automation software, and proven full-stack quantum computing system integration expertise to the NY CREATES ecosystem.

Bleximo’s capabilities include:

  • Chip design, chip fabrication and packaging technologies yielding record coherence times in superconducting quantum bits.
  • Unique electronic automated design software which speeds up quantum processor layout and validation.
  • Proprietary co-design methodology which boosts the speed and reduces algorithm complexity with appropriate processor architecture choice.
  • A patent-pending blueprint for building hybrid superconducting/photonic processors with 1,000+ high-quality qubits.
  • Cryogenic RubiconTM platform, which enables rapid tests of superconducting chips at millikelvin temperatures.

“Bleximo’s Rubicon platform for the testing of multi-qubit quantum processors provides a critically needed capability for NY CREATES’s R&D into scalable quantum computing systems,” said Satyavolu “Pops” Papa Rao, Vice President for Research at NY CREATES. “With the Rubicon platform, NY CREATES can accelerate the characterization of its Ta-based Josephson junctions, high-quality-factor coplanar waveguide resonators, and superconducting nanowires developed at 300 mm wafer scale in our nation-leading facilities for use in a variety of quantum computing architectures.”

Making large-scale practical quantum processors requires the most modern microfabrication methods and tools as well as materials analysis capabilities and expertise. NY CREATES owns and operates the Albany NanoTech Complex – the nation’s most advanced, publicly-owned semiconductor R&D facility.

Over the last two decades, NY CREATES has built time-tested connections and capabilities with ecosystem partners in academia, industry and government, enabling the organization to power a broader portion of the commercialization continuum and making them unique when compared with other innovation centers. NY CREATES is actively engaged in technology development programs, particularly at its Albany and Rochester locations, through strategic efforts in integrated photonics, neuromorphic computing, quantum technologies, power electronics, and nano-biological devices. These R&D efforts are partnerships with a broad cross-section of entities – from federal agencies to start-up companies.

 

About Bleximo

Founded in 2017, Bleximo is a full-stack quantum computing system integration firm that is building superconducting application-specific quantum computers by co-designing algorithms and hardware to deliver practical solutions for high-impact problems. Co-designing processors, software, and the control stack along with developing technologies that ensure chips’ reliability and scalability in one product development process is Bleximo’s strategic differentiator: everything from the fundamental physics of superconducting technology to the software dynamics in a deployed system is considered. For more information, visit https://bleximo.com.

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as New York’s bridge to the advanced electronics industry. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, 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 https://ny-creates.org.

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Menlo Micro Joins the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition

Aims to bring more U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and advance MEMS R&D leadership, improve pathway from research to manufacturing

IRVINE, Calif., September 27, 2022

Menlo Microsystems, Inc. (Menlo Micro), the company known for reinventing the electronic switch with its Ideal Switch® technology, today announced that it has joined the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition (ASIC) in its effort to ensure that the funding provided through the historic CHIPS and Science Act will be effectively employed to advance U.S. semiconductor R&D leadership and improve the pathway from research to manufacturing.

As a member of ASIC, Menlo Micro will look to build on existing partnerships with ASIC members Purdue University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute to strengthen America’s STEM workforce and ensure top tech talent remains in the U.S.

Menlo Micro’s leadership in creating next-generation electrical components will be invaluable as the country seeks to invest more heavily in transformative technologies and bolster domestic chip manufacturing and supply chains. Leveraging advances in materials science and MEMS technology, Menlo Micro’s Ideal Switch delivers unprecedented power, efficiency, and speed at a fraction of the size and weight of traditional switching technologies.

“Menlo Micro is proud to join ASIC and its members in the pursuit of strengthening U.S. tech leadership,” said Russ Garcia, CEO of Menlo Micro. “ASIC’s work to create tech hubs and bolster U.S. supply chains for our future economic prosperity and national security perfectly aligns with our goal to onshore manufacturing of Menlo Micro’s Ideal Switch technology to help strengthen America’s tech supply chains and facilitate the electrification of everything.”

Joining ASIC’s growing membership of companies, universities, startups and nonprofits, Menlo Micro will advocate for an efficient and effective innovation hub of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) funded through the CHIPS and Science Act. ASIC recently expanded its membership to include representatives from all stages of the chipmaking supply chain, and Menlo Micro will be joining fellow innovators and technology leaders including NVIDIA, DuPont and GlobalFoundries, which join Analog Devices, IBM, Microsoft, Micron, MIT, Synopsys and others to advance U.S. semiconductor R&D leadership.

“Pursuing an initiative like the NSTC requires a network of leading thinkers and innovators in semiconductor technology,” said Dr. Douglas Grose, spokesperson for ASIC. “We’re excited to welcome Menlo Micro to ASIC as a key representative of MEMS technology and the expertise they bring to the coalition as we work to strengthen U.S. tech leadership for generations to come.”

About the Ideal Switch

The Ideal Switch is the electronic industry’s Holy Grail – a device that delivers all the benefits of a mechanical relay and a semiconductor switch, with no compromises. The Ideal Switch is tiny, fast, reliable, withstands extreme temperatures, is ultra-low loss and can handle 1,000s of Watts. Most importantly, it is manufactured using conventional semiconductor equipment.

According to Adroit Market Research, the global electrification market is experiencing tremendous growth, projected to reach $128 billion by 2028. The Ideal Switch is transforming the electrification of everything by increasing energy efficiency of the entire legacy electric infrastructure, upgrading 100-year-old relay technology with a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch. 

About Menlo Micro

Menlo Micro is on a mission to create a more energy efficient and sustainable world, with an entirely new category of electronic switches. The Ideal Switch eliminates compromises and tradeoffs by combining the benefits of electromechanical and solid-state switches into the best of both worlds. Menlo is bringing more than 99 percent reductions in size, weight, power, and cost to dozens of industries such as medical, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial IoT, and test and measurement. For more information, visit menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition

The American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition (ASIC) represents more than 100 businesses, startups, universities and nonprofits dedicated to bringing the best research and development to the National Semiconductor Technology Center and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program. Learn more about ASIC and its members at http://asicoalition.org.

Menlo Micro and the Ideal Switch are registered trademarks of Menlo Microsystems, Inc. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

Source: PRESS RELEASE Menlo Micro Joins the American Semiconductor Innovation Coalition / September 27, 2022

 

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DAVID ANDERSON ON PASSAGE OF THE CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 28, 2022
Contact: Jason Conwall | jconwall@ny-creates.org | (518) 956-7373

 

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. With approval from the Senate and the House, it now heads to President Biden’s desk. The legislation will invest billions of dollars in semiconductor research and development, manufacturing, and workforce development, including the creation of a National Semiconductor Technology Center.

David Anderson, President of the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science (NY CREATES) issued the following statement:

“The CHIPS and Science Act is a much-needed, strategic investment in the future of our country and will help to re-establish American leadership in innovation and the global semiconductor industry. We were very pleased to see strong bipartisan support as this is not about one industry – it’s about every industry that relies on chips as well as our economic and national security.

“I want to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Representatives Tonko and Morelle, and the entire New York Delegation for their tireless efforts in leading the charge and bringing the bill across the goal line. As we await the President’s signature, NY CREATES, along with our partners across the state and the nation, stands ready to support the Federal government in establishing a National Semiconductor Technology Center with an ecosystem in place that can leverage existing assets and investments and hit the ground running.”

About NY CREATES
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. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, 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 ny-creates.org.

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES NEW WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO TRAIN MILITARY MEMBERS FOR CAREERS IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

VET S.T.E.P. Career Skills Program Will Train Service Members from Across the Country and Partner with Industry for Employment Opportunities

MAY 25, 2022 | Albany, NY

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Department of the Army has approved the Veteran Semiconductor Training and Experience Program, or VET S.T.E.P., as an official Career Skills Program, part of the Department of Defense SkillBridge network. These programs assist service members, from all branches nationwide, as they transition out of the military and into civilian careers by providing industry-specific training, internships and other work experience. VET S.T.E.P.’s outreach to military installations will serve to educate service members about the employment opportunities available, demonstrate the transferability of military training and discipline to the microelectronics manufacturing field, and provide them with industry-specific onboarding to give participants the skills they need to land the job. 

“In New York, we are deeply committed to supporting the brave men and women who serve and protect our country, and we are forever thankful for their service,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to New York’s service members with concrete action, and the new VET S.T.E.P. program is the latest example of our workforce initiatives focused on helping veterans find meaningful, long-term employment after leaving the military. This new program will serve as a model for the rest of the nation to follow, and will put veterans on the path toward a successful career while strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry.” 

NY CREATES President David Anderson said, “We are proud to launch the new VET S.T.E.P. initiative, which will honor active duty service members and veterans by providing them with opportunities for long-term, rewarding careers in the semiconductor industry. The men and women who serve our country are talented, hardworking, and dedicated – all qualities that are sought by global industry leaders. VET S.T.E.P. will offer a comprehensive training and experience program that connects veterans to companies and careers – and that’s a win for everyone involved.”  

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The new Vet S.T.E.P. program will generate new opportunities for our veterans by providing much needed skills that will amplify our high tech workforce, a key component to growing the semiconductor industry in New York State. I applaud our partners at NY CREATES for developing this innovative program which will ensure a robust talent pipeline for the future.”

New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Director Viviana DeCohen said, “New York remains committed to being the best state for service members and veterans to call home. A key component of this is the ability to provide well paying and fulfilling work for these individuals. The VET S.T.E.P. initiative will be a great source of rewarding work by providing careers for those who have done so much for our State and Nation.”

Typically, companies offer SkillBridge programming to fill their own job vacancies. VET S.T.E.P. is uniquely focused on building an ecosystem, working with several industry partners based in New York State to build a skilled technician pipeline for the state and the nation’s growing semiconductor industry. VET S.T.E.P. recruitment will bring in military personnel from across the U.S., with its primary connection to Fort Drum, and provide two weeks of technician training followed by placement in an eight week internship with one of NY CREATES many industry partners.  

VET S.T.E.P.’s training, developed in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College, will be held at the Albany Nanotech Complex. There, service members will have access to the most advanced, publicly-owned labs in the U.S., a working foundry, state-of-the-art equipment and on site industry partners. 

The first training cohort is scheduled for September 2022. Initially, three cohorts of 12 service members are planned for the next 12 months. Once the program is fully established, five cohorts training up to 60 service members can be supported annually. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation, enabling service members to receive this training at no cost. Prior to VET S.T.E.P., NY CREATES offered “mini” Advanced Manufacturing Technician workshops to Fort Drum soldiers and veterans. Since 2016, 90 have been trained.

Each year approximately 200,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed in over 140 military installations in the U.S. and overseas, separate from active duty. It has been well documented that far too many veterans struggle to find meaningful employment after leaving military service. The Department of Defense’s SkillBridge programs provide retiring and transitioning service members with the opportunity to participate in industry training programs during their last 180 days of service, while covering the service member’s pay and benefits.

VET S.T.E.P. closely aligns with the state’s unwavering commitment to those who served and the initiatives that help and support the more than 714,000 veterans and their families who call New York State home. At least 60 unique state benefits are currently available to veterans, service members, and their families, including educational benefits, and priority access to job assistance, to accessing to service-connected disability compensation, and more. 

If you are interested in participating in VET S.T.E.P., please contact Kate Alcott at alcottk@sunypoly.edu or visit https://ny-creates.org/vet-s-t-e-p-semiconductor-training-experience-program/ for more information. 

For more information on services available to veterans in New York State, please visit https://veterans.ny.gov/. 

This initiative builds upon the Governor’s robust commitment to workforce development and training for in-demand skills. In her State of the State address, the Governor announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development, which will be charged with improving the State’s workforce development programs and practices to better align with the needs and priorities of today’s employers. The Governor committed significant multi-year funding to support the Office, which was approved in the FY2023 budget, and a search is underway to hire personnel to implement and lead the State’s ambitious efforts. 

Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Our soldiers already protect America’s future on the battlefields, and now thanks to the VET S.T.E.P program New York’s veterans can continue to preserve America’s global leadership and national security through good-paying careers in semiconductor manufacturing right here in the Empire State. New York is home to a top-notch workforce, which this program will further grow to tap into the major expansion in the microchip industry driven by my U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the historic $52 billion in federal incentives I’ve included for domestic semiconductor R&D and manufacturing. A job is one of the most important parts of a veteran’s return to civilian life, and this program will ensure our vets aren’t left behind and can get the training and skills they need to be successful in their life after the military and to be a part of a fast-growing industry in the state.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “After dedicating years to serving our country, too many veterans leave the military and struggle to find meaningful employment. VET S.T.E.P. is an innovative program that will help veterans transition into civilian careers in growing fields and will play a key role in developing talent for New York’s semiconductor industry. I thank Governor Hochul for her work getting this program off the ground, and as chair of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, I’ll keep fighting to make sure our New York veterans have the support they need to reintegrate into civilian life.”

Representative Jerrold Nadler said, “Preparing our service members for careers in microelectronics is an excellent decision. As our nation continues to innovate in renewable energy and technology, it is imperative that we build the infrastructure that we need to stay competitive globally. Governor Hochul has been a tremendous leader in keeping New York at the forefront of semiconductor development and manufacturing, and I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

Representative Paul Tonko said, “Investing in the semiconductor industry offers an incredible opportunity to bolster domestic supply chains and drive American competitiveness, all while creating good-paying manufacturing jobs. I’m working to deliver these critical investments at the federal level, including fighting to advance the historic CHIPS for America Act and my Micro Act under the House passed America COMPETES Act. This pioneering training initiative announced today will also advance this growing industry in our region, which is why I was proud to vote to fund this program under our last appropriations package. I thank Governor Hochul for her work facilitating this program that will strengthen our economy, and support our veterans.”

Representative Joe Morelle said, “As I member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to supporting our servicemembers at every step of their career, which is why I appreciate Governor Hochul’s commitment to providing the training necessary to ensure a successful transition into civilian life through VET S.T.E.P. New York. Expanding the SkillBridge program to include workforce development in critical semiconductor technology will build New York’s regional economic resilience and make our area a global competitor in this field.”

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “Veterans, though coming from wide-ranging fields within their branches of service, typically share many of the same attributes: attention to detail, discipline, and a willingness to work harder. After dedicating years of their lives to a specific skillset, a Veteran may find the skill does not directly translate to a job in civilian life. I am proud to say we are helping to bridge that gap, to fully utilize the gifts and talents these highly driven individuals have to offer to the New York State workforce. My thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing the talents and potential of our Veterans, and connecting them to their next mission.”

Mohawk Valley Community College President Randy VanWagoner said, “Since 1946, as one of five post-secondary institutions established on an experimental basis after World War II, Mohawk Valley Community College has served U.S. veterans by providing valuable resources and supporting their educational success. We are proud to be part of this project and continue the tradition of helping veterans make a successful transition back into the community and preparing for the future.”

Fort Drum Transition Services Manager Craig A. McNamara said, “There is no better way to appreciate our Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families’ sacrifice than equipping them to live meaningful productive lives after their service to our nation.  VET S.T.E.P offers significant opportunity for professional growth for our Soldiers, Veterans and Families, and demonstrates valued collaboration between New York State, the Fort Drum Transition Assistance Program, SUNY, NY CREATES, and industry.”

Indium Corporation Talent Acquisition Supervisor Jim McCoy said, “Indium Corporation is excited to be an industry partner with the VET S.T.E.P. Career Skills Program to help armed forces members from across the country make permanent homes in our communities. We recently welcomed two service members from Fort Drum to our team and look forward to helping many more find fulfilling careers in the semiconductor industry through this collaboration.”

GlobalFoundries Human Resources Operations Vice President Mike Leary said, “We applaud Governor Hochul on the approval of VET S.T.E.P. as an official Career Skills Program. We value the leadership, communication, decision-making, and technical skills of service members, and this program will help to connect vital training and experiences with industry partners like GlobalFoundries as we support veterans and their career goals.”

Wolfspeed Chief Human Resources Officer Margaret Chadwick said, “Wolfspeed is committed to hiring a diverse group of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. As we continue to ramp up production at our Silicon Carbide semiconductor manufacturing facility in Marcy, New York, programs such as VET S.T.E.P. are instrumental in recruiting top talent. Candidates with a military background are an outstanding fit for our team-oriented culture.  We are excited to be one of the employers actively involved in the program and look forward to expanding our partnership with new additions to the team.” 

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Source: Governor Hochul Announces New Workforce Development Initiative to Train Military Members for Careers in the Semiconductor Industry