New Capital Region BOCES Program Will Prepare Students for the High-Tech Industry

A new Capital Region BOCES program being offered for the 2025-26 school year will provide high school seniors with the skills they need to succeed in the burgeoning semiconductor and hydrogen/fuel cell industry.

The New Visions: Emerging Technologies program was developed in collaboration with industry leaders Plug and the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) and will ensure students gain cutting-edge skills and real-world insights, preparing them for immediate employment or for state-of-the-art apprenticeship programs in the industries.

“We are thrilled to once again be able to take the input of our business and education partners and create programming that will not only benefit students, but strengthen the local, state and national workforce,” said Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Director Jeff Palmer

Specifically, the organizations are partnering to develop the New Visions: Emerging Technologies course, with NY CREATES and Plug assisting with the creation of a curriculum featuring specialized, focused content. Students who take the course will gain hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge in advanced manufacturing, mechanical and electrical systems, hydrogen safety and semiconductor processes. The program covers key topics such as fuel cell systems, pneumatics, automation, cleanroom protocols, and troubleshooting techniques. 

Officials with NY CREATES, which is dedicated to fostering innovative chips-focused R&D, the expansion of technology jobs in New York State and the U.S., and related workforce development through industry-connected innovation and commercialization projects, said the program will ensure the region’s workforce can meet the growing demands of this essential industry.

 “NY CREATES is proud to partner with Capital Region BOCES to support their emerging technologies program and develop the high-tech workforce of the future for the growing semiconductor-centered ecosystem. This partnership will offer students advanced training in chips R&D and trailblazing technologies, establishing a direct pathway to in-demand engineering careers,” said Dr. Robert Geer, NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development. “By aligning continuing education with industry demand, we are ensuring that our workforce is not only prepared for today’s cutting-edge jobs but also equipped to lead the innovative industries of tomorrow.” 

NY CREATES Educational Outreach and Workforce Development Manager Capri O’Hara said, “With the semiconductor industry alone projected to need an additional 300,000 skilled workers by 2030, partnerships like the one between Capital Region BOCES and NY CREATES are essential in closing the skills gap. By equipping students with hands-on experience and specialized knowledge in cutting-edge technologies, we are building the workforce necessary to meet the growing demand and ensuring our region remains at the forefront of the global tech economy.”

The New Visions: Emerging Technologies program—which is considered an honors-level course—is only open to seniors and is one of two new programs launching for the 2025-26 school year. A Plumbing Technology program is also being created and will join the New Visions: Emerging Technologies program in the new CTE Extension Center that is being constructed near the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus on Watervliet-Shaker Road in Albany (town of Colonie). Six other programs are being expanded or moved and will also be housed in the 46,377-square-foot facility.

For information on the 28 other programs offered by Capital Region BOCES CTE, visit the BOCES website.

Read the announcement from Capital Region BOCES here. 

Natcast News Release: National Semiconductor Technology Center Surpasses 100-Member Milestone

NY CREATES Among First 100 NSTC Members
View Original News Release HERE. 
Milestone reinforces public-private consortium as enduring institution engaging full U.S. semiconductor ecosystem to drive U.S.-led innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 27, 2025 — Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government, today announced that the NSTC has reached a significant milestone with more than 100 signed Members. This achievement underscores the NSTC’s vital role in convening industry leaders, academic institutions, government partners, and organizations from across the value chain to accelerate U.S.-led semiconductor research and innovation and reinforce the country’s economic and national security.

“We are humbled and excited by this milestone, which is a testament to the NSTC’s mission and the shared desire for collaboration across the semiconductor ecosystem to advance semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing in the United States and strengthen our economic and national security,” said Deirdre Hanford, Natcast CEO. “As a public-private consortium, the NSTC is a national priority driving the imperative for cross-sector investment and collaboration to accelerate semiconductor research, build a strong domestic workforce development ecosystem, and extend U.S. leadership in the technologies and industries of tomorrow. We’re thrilled to have such a broad and varied group of Members on board.”

Natcast launched the NSTC Membership program on September 30, 2024, to support and advance the mission of the NSTC, which focuses on three shared and strategic goals:

  1. Strengthen U.S. semiconductor leadership

  2. Reduce time from lab-to-fab

  3. Expand the U.S. semiconductor workforce.  

With immediate interest from a wide range of companies and organizations, the NSTC had more than 50 committed Members within its first month. Building on this initial momentum, NSTC Membership has since grown to encompass more than 100 signed entities from across the semiconductor ecosystem. A comprehensive list of NSTC Members can be found here.

“Today’s milestone reflects the NSTC’s commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem that empowers collaboration to drive U.S.-led innovation,” said Susan Feindt, SVP of Ecosystem Development at Natcast. “We are energized by the engagement we’ve received so far — and this is just the beginning. Leveraging this momentum, we’ll continue to rollout member-driven programs and services that are responsive to real-time industry challenges to collaboratively build the NSTC as an enduring institution that will extend U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology for decades to come.”

NSTC Members benefit from access to leading-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities, shared physical and digital assets, dedicated events and collaboration opportunities, and employer-driven workforce development programming. These resources are aimed at encouraging cross-sector collaboration, reducing barriers for members to bring new technologies from lab-to-fab, and supporting member efforts to build and sustain a strong U.S. semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

Today’s milestone comes roughly one year after the NSTC consortium was officially established on February 9, 2024.

The NSTC is actively accepting new Members. Learn more about the NSTC Membership program and apply to join at natcast.org/nstcmembership.

National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ Awards Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarships to Five Registered Apprentices in Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing

NiiCA News Release

Scholarship, established to honor the legacy of a dedicated apprentice, supports Registered Apprentices (RAs) as they pursue careers in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing

HANOVER, Md., Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) has selected five outstanding RAs as recipients of the Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, in its first year, celebrates the memory and legacy of Maddison Spaulding, a trailblazing RA at Applied Materials in NIICA’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program.

Spaulding was a passionate advocate for skill-based learning and career advancement through apprenticeships. Spaulding’s legacy lives on through this scholarship, which provides financial assistance to apprentices to support them as they pursue careers in these critical industries.

Quazi Ummehany

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

  • Quazi Ummehany – NY CREATES
  • Allison Horst – Moog
  • Ashley Salgado – Micron
  • Heather Houchin – Micron
  • Makayla Lasswell – Micron

Each of these apprentices has demonstrated resilience, a commitment to professional growth, and a passion for advancing in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing. From balancing rigorous technical training with mentorship and leadership, to overcoming personal challenges in pursuit of a high-value career, these recipients exemplify the dedication and determination that defined Spaulding’s journey.

“Quazi Ummehany, who works as a Cleanroom Operator at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), has a clear passion for innovation and is committed to skills development, making her a true asset to NY CREATES as we seek to drive the R&D and develop the workforce that will enable success of the U.S. semiconductor industry. This scholarship is a testament to her dedication and potential, and we are proud to support her as she continues to break new ground,” said NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development Dr. Robert Geer.

View Original News Release Here

FuzeHub and NORDTECH Announce Winners of NYS Microelectronics Innovation Challenge

Albany NanoTech Complex with Circuitry graphic

$180,000 in grants awarded to projects in the Mid-Hudson, New York City, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier Regions 

New initiative from FuzeHub and NORDTECH aims to strengthen national defense through the advancement of New York’s microelectronics industry.

ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub, the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH) today announced the winners of the New York State Microelectronics Innovation Challenge. Three projects with ties to Newburgh, New York City, Ithaca, Milton, and Dundee, will each receive $60,000 from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. These grants will support groundbreaking advancements that enhance national defense through developments in the microelectronics industry.

The Innovation Challenge focuses on the following areas within microelectronics:

  • Electronic components on the micrometer-scale or smaller

  • Components and materials necessary for assembling printed circuit boards

  • Materials, equipment, and processes necessary for the manufacturing and assembly of the above two categories

FuzeHub and NORDTECH, a New York State-based consortium of government labs, defense companies, academics institutions, and technology R&D and manufacturing organizations, received numerous applications for the funding initiative, launched in November. They challenged New York’s innovators to advance New York State’s manufacturing capabilities within the microelectronics industry, either through advancing innovative technologies, or strengthening the microelectronics supply chain within New York State.

“We are proud to support these projects that will not only bolster New York’s position in the global microelectronics supply chain but also contribute to the nation’s security and defense capabilities,” said NYSTAR executive director Ben Verschueren. “The winning projects exemplify the potential of New York’s innovation ecosystem and its role in shaping the future of microelectronics manufacturing.”

“As a result of NORDTECH’s collaboration with FuzeHub, we are excited that the announced awardees will be able to drive advances in microelectronics-related innovations, which can simultaneously strengthen U.S. defense capabilities,” said Nicholas Fahrenkopf, NORDTECH Technical Director. “We are proud to enable strategic microelectronics applications through this Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund opportunity and with our Microelectronics Challenge partners as this initiative works to strengthen the local and regional supply chain along with U.S. technological leadership.”

For the video announcement, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJUU2_AcN8

One selected project will help strengthen the microelectronics supply chain by adding capabilities to chip manufacturing, and two projects will lead to commercializing innovation that is superior to current standards. These are:

  • Manufacturing & Technology Enterprise Center (MTEC) is helping Sono-Tek (Mid-Hudson) to adapt Sono-Tek’s spray coating systems to work with 300mm silicon wafers as part of a chips manufacturing process. Sono-Tek uses precision ultrasonic nozzles in a multi-axis robotic spray coating system. The reworked system will help support domestic production, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.

  • City University of New York (CUNY)’s Nanoscience Initiative is working with Vyir Inc (New York City) to develop a cheaper, faster method of fabricating a revolutionary optical infrared camera. This technology is cheaper, lighter, more efficient, and offers 15 times better image quality than current infrared cameras. Some immediate applications areas include defense, security, automotive safety, and methane gas detection.

  • The project between Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) Corporate Partnership & Innovation (OVPRI) (Southern Tier) and TomPhyzx LLC (Finger Lakes) aims to improve the precision and efficiency of light detectors used in air sanitization systems, enhancing the control of UV-C systems that purify air in hospitals, schools, and military environments. The innovation focuses on creating a ball-shaped visual detector that measures ultraviolet light from all directions with exceptional accuracy. Because of its substantially smaller design, this device is better suited than current alternatives for applications in microelectronics.

“The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund was established to support forward-thinking projects that drive technology development and commercialization throughout New York State” said Patty Rechberger, innovation fund manager. “By awarding these grants, we’re helping to accelerate innovation, which will have a lasting impact on the state’s manufacturing landscape and national defense capabilities. We’re excited to see the continued growth and success of these projects.”

The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund — which serves as the source of funding for this Innovation Challenge — supports a set of activities designed to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. Launched in December 2016, the fund is named for Jeff Lawrence, a champion of the New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities. Each year, the Innovation Fund provides more than $1 million in direct assistance to the manufacturing, research and development, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. To date, the fund has awarded over $10 million in funding to support collaborative projects throughout the state. This Innovation Challenge is made possible through funding and support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

About Jeff Lawrence

During his more than 20 years at the Center for Economic Growth, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate in the Capital Region where he served as executive vice president and MEP Center Director, Jeff Lawrence directed programs of direct assistance to manufacturers and technology companies to increase their competitiveness. He is remembered for being an invaluable and generous mentor to many in the area’s business community and a tireless advocate for manufacturing innovation throughout New York.

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.

About FuzeHub

FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York’s small to medium-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York’s robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partners centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation.  For more information on FuzeHub, visit www.fuzehub.com.

 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 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, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.

 About U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

The Department of Defense is America’s largest government agency. With the military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the department has grown and evolved with the nation. Their mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation’s security. https://www.defense.gov/

Media Mentions:

Times Union: Grants awarded for microelectronics

CSIS Report: Albany NanoTech’s Potential to Support the National Semiconductor Technology Center

Aerial image of the Albany NanoTech Complex
The Albany NanoTech Complex
Report by Charles Wessner & Thomas Howell
Published, Feb. 14, 2025

The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act) was critically important for halting and reversing the erosion of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capability and ensuring the security of the domestic chip supply chain. Through a combination of federal grants (up to $39 billion) and tax incentives (in excess of $46 billion), the CHIPS Act has stimulated billions of dollars in private sector investments into U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing.

The CHIPS Act established the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), an industry-government-academic collaboration meant to drive advanced semiconductor research, development, and workforce training.

In July 2024, the Department of Commerce and the recently created National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology (Natcast), the nonprofit operator of the NSTC, began the site-selection processes to identify the first three NSTC flagship facilities:

    • An administrative and chip design center.

    • An extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) lithography center will provide participants with the ability to utilize the most advanced lithography tools to facilitate the development of chips at the leading-edge of semiconductor technology, specifically those needed to support artificial intelligence applications.

    • A prototyping and advanced packaging piloting facility will combine state-of-the-art 300-millimeter (mm) manufacturing with chip prototyping and packaging, set to be operational in 2028.

The Commerce Department and Natcast conducted separate site selection processes for each facility. Selection criteria included the presence of a thriving semiconductor ecosystem at the proposed sites, with secondary considerations including chip industry presence; the availability of skilled workers; the number and quality of relevant worker training programs; the number and quality of nearby university research programs focusing on microelectronics; the amount of public and private chip investments in the preceding decade; and the number and type of benefits, incentives, and initiatives aimed at the semiconductor industry.

In July 2024, in a bid by the state to secure the designation of the facility as one or more of the NSTC’s foundational centers, $1 billion was invested into the semiconductor research facility at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science’s (NY CREATES) Albany NanoTech Complex—hereafter referred to as Albany NanoTech.

Indeed, reflecting its unique advantages, in October 2024, the Department of Commerce and Natcast designated Albany NanoTech as the first NSTC research and development facility. Specifically, it will serve as the NSTC’s EUV lithography center, supported by a proposed federal investment of an estimated $825 million. The center is expected to begin initial operations in 2025.

In the following months, the Department of Commerce and Natcast also announced that the Design and Collaboration Facility would be established in California, while the Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility would be established at Arizona State University.

The selection of Albany NanoTech as the site for the NSTC’s EUV lithography R&D center validates New York’s investments in Albany. It was not lost on observers that Albany NanoTech was the first of the three NSTC flagship facility sites designated by the U.S. government, with Silicon Valley coming in second, signaling “a major shift in the center of power in the U.S. computer chip industry.” David Anderson, the president of NY CREATES, observed that the federal action was “a recognition and solidification of the Albany NanoTech center and NY CREATES as a national resource. We really are a gem for this industry and the capabilities that we have here.”

NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex

While the perspectives offered by Anderson might be brushed off as the sort of local boosterism commonly associated with site selections for major federal projects, his case for Albany NanoTech is grounded in a number of fundamental realities. While not fully appreciated, especially in Washington, Albany NanoTech stands at the epicenter of a long-standing, thriving semiconductor research and manufacturing ecosystem with few parallels in the United States, or worldwide. Albany NanoTech brings together cutting-edge facilities, actively engaged partners from leading device manufactures and equipment suppliers, collaborative research relationships with leading universities, and a state government already making the significant capital investments needed for such a facility to remain state-of-the-art. Key features of this remarkable institution include the following:

    • Exceptional Facilities and Tools: Albany NanoTech offers the best—if not the only—publicly available, neutral site capable of fully supporting the proposed NSTC EUV lithography center. Indeed, besides Belgium’s imec, Albany NanoTech is the only global research center scheduled to receive the newest ASML High-NA EUV machine, set to be installed in a new facility currently under construction. Albany NanoTech is the only such recipient in North America that is not a major private firm.

    • Bipartisan State Government Support: The New York state government’s support for the promotion of local semiconductor research and manufacturing has been unwavering for decades, involves billions of dollars in public outlays, and remains rock-solid. It is a leading priority of Governor Kathy Hochul.

    • Large-Scale Private Investments: The public and private sector have undertaken massive investments in chip manufacturing and research in the Albany area for the past decade. Most recently, GlobalFoundries announced an $11.6 billion expansion of its Fab 8 in Malta, New York, beginning in 2025. Additionally, the recently announced investments at Albany NanoTech include another $10 billion in public and private investments.

    • Existing High-Quality Workforce: Over 10,000 people in the Albany area are already directly employed in semiconductor research, manufacturing, supply chain, and specialty construction companies and institutions.

    • Exceptional Educational Infrastructure…Read More 

NY CREATES featured in CBS6 News Story: “NY CREATES strengthens global microchip industry with diverse international collaborations”

Paul Kelly, NY CREATES Chief Operating Officer on learning and collaborating with other countries on building the nanotechnology and semiconductor industry.  

“So we want to provide this expertise and knowledge on how to fabricate them, how to build some circuits out of them on top of what we can do here to have them fabricated here,” he said.

These partnerships extend to the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and more; they’re part of the bigger picture, strengthening the world’s microchip industry.

“So it brings a whole diverse aspect to the engineering background and the technology focus,” said Paul Kelly, NY CREATES COO. “So between the people they have there and our good engineers here, we’re able to work together to create this technology that will advance things that will be in your devices from your cars to your phones to every piece of technology going forward.”

Read the CBS6 News Story Here

Arcadis News Release: Arcadis to Design and Build Expansion for NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex

Aerial image of the Albany NanoTech Complex

The project underscores Arcadis’s expertise in semiconductor and advanced technology facility design

ALBANY, NY – January 27, 2025 – Arcadis, a global leader in intelligence-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions, is pleased to announce the formation of the DPS | Gilbane Joint Venture, comprised of Arcadis’s DPS Advanced Technology Group Inc. and Gilbane Building Company as the design builder and contractor for the expansion project at the Albany NanoTech Complex, which is owned and operated by non-profit NY CREATES.

This project is centered on construction of the NanoFab Reflection building (NFR), the newest addition to the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science’s (NY CREATES’) infrastructure. NFR will be a state-of-the-art, four-story research and development facility housing a new 50,000 SF ISO 5 cleanroom with accompanying sub-fab. The Albany NanoTech Complex expansion extends beyond the ultramodern NFR building itself to a new 900-car parking garage, and a high voltage switchyard upgrade. The Joint Venture awarded the design of the facility to Arcadis and its consultants including Dedicated Process Architecture and Engineering Services, D.P.C.

Once complete, NY CREATES, with key industry, government, and academic partners, will operate this new $10 billion High NA EUV Lithography Center to enable development of the world’s most advanced computer chips and drive the long-term growth of New York’s high-tech economy while creating and retaining thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

NY CREATES is dedicated to fostering innovative chips-focused R&D, the expansion of technology jobs in New York State, and related workforce development through industry-connected innovation and commercialization projects, such as the NanoFab Reflection project initiative. Semiconductors play a crucial role in driving the global economy, and with the impressive growth of its Albany NanoTech Complex, NY CREATES is actively contributing to encouraging innovation in an essential technological domain, paving the way for next-generation computer chips that are faster and more energy efficient.

Dr. Christopher Borst, Vice President of Technology & Infrastructure at NY CREATES, said: “Arcadis, under the DPS|Gilbane joint venture, has been entrusted as a strategic partner to design and build NY CREATES’s new NanoFab Reflection building and parking garage as well as expand critical infrastructure at our Albany NanoTech Complex. An on-time project delivery will propel next-generation semiconductor advancements for years to come.”

Michael Schwarz, Business Director, U.S. Semiconductor at Arcadis, said: “Current and future OEM tenants will benefit from this campus expansion, driving further development of new generation semiconductor tools and processes. NY CREATES’s Albany NanoTech Complex continues to be a global hub of advanced semiconductor research, and our team is excited to continue our partnership on this campus.”

Arcadis, DPS Advanced Technology Group, and Dedicated Process Architecture and Engineering Services will provide comprehensive services to the Joint Venture including architecture, engineering, procurement, logistics, and construction management personnel for the project. By establishing an interactive environment that integrates the client with the design team process, early decision-making and dynamic dialogue will positively impact all phases of the project.

The Joint Venture team will utilize modular and off-site manufacturing to achieve design to target value. They will help promote improved safety and quality and significantly reduce cost and schedule to delivery. Employing advanced planning and scheduling, the construction management team will create integrated teams to help eliminate waste and produce a highly reliable and visible schedule.

Nilesh Parmar, U.S. Places Business Area Leader at Arcadis, said: “The NanoFab Reflection project provides an opportunity to showcase multiple facets of Arcadis’s capabilities in this space including construction management and design. The impact of this expansion will be noticeable throughout the R&D technologies and the burgeoning semiconductor industry, creating future site development opportunities.”

CEG Press Release: NY’s 1st Nanotech Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Trade Gets Approval


Jan. 17, 2025 – The New York Department of Labor (NYS DOL) recently approved the Nanotechnology Engineering Technician (NET) trade, the first of its kind in the state, sponsored by the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).

CEG’s leadership in developing the trade creates new and expanded Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for the region, and the state. It also helps grow the semiconductor workforce in the Capital Region and beyond, directly benefiting GlobalFoundries’ (GF) chip fab in Saratoga County and the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) in Albany County, both of which are initial program signatories. 

NET apprentices will get on-the-job training at GF’s manufacturing facility in Malta, in addition to related classroom instruction at Hudson Valley Community College’s Troy and Malta campuses. As the group sponsor, CEG will be responsible for the administration of NYS DOL-required apprenticeship onboarding, reporting as well as overseeing apprentices’ progression through the program. NYS DOL approved the NET RAP on Dec. 17.

“Nanotechnology Engineering Technician rounds out the suite of semiconductor industry trades that the Center for Economic Growth has been developing for the last four years. From operators and technicians in manufacturing settings to working in R&D labs, the highly skilled apprentices we are sponsoring will help further solidify the Capital Region’s status as a global semiconductor hub with the trained talent needed to continue to grow. We are grateful for the support of our partners, especially the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement (NICCA), The Manufacturers Association (MACNY), HVCC, and New York State Department of Labor,” said CEG Chief Economic Development Officer Katie Newcombe.

“GlobalFoundries’ industry-leading registered apprenticeship program has helped GF bring new technicians into the industry and is essential for building a unique skillset that is critical to semiconductor manufacturing,” said Kerry Wright, GlobalFoundries’ Vice President of Talent Acquisition. “The addition of the Nanotechnology Engineering Technician trade creates additional opportunities for technician training at GF, further developing the technician career path, and providing additional opportunities for existing employees. We are grateful for CEG’s partnership on registered apprenticeship and leadership in developing this new trade.”

“We’re proud to be a part of this initiative, and we see this program as an integral component of our workforce development strategy,” said NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, Dr. Robert Geer. “Working with our partners, we intend to create pathways for individuals throughout the region to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry, as we enable leading-edge chip R&D and commercialization, economic advancement, and workforce development for New York State and the nation.”

The addition of the NET trade continues CEG’s pioneering sponsorship of career pathways for the semiconductor industry and leadership in helping companies establish and grow RAPs. In 2020, CEG became the sponsor of a first-of-its-kind RAP for the semiconductor industry to train for GF, in partnership with HVCC and MACNY. In 2023, CEG also sponsored the nation’s first semiconductor-specific RAP for a major semiconductor R&D center, in partnership with NY CREATES, the non-profit owner and operator of the Albany NanoTech Complex, and NIICA. 

Since launching its apprenticeship program in 2018, CEG has sponsored 18 signatories (employers), 122 apprentices, and supported 17 trade titles. CEG is part of the statewide Manufacturing Intermediary Apprenticeship Program partnership, which is led by MACNY. The NYS DOL Registered Apprenticeship Program is a formal training program that combines on-the-job training with formal classroom education to prepare individuals to enter and grow in new careers. CEG also acts as a Group Program Sponsor for NIICA’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductor (GAINS) RAP, which will help provide incentives for company’s apprenticeship programs, including NY CREATES and GF. 

“I applaud the Center of Economic Growth (CEG) for sponsoring this revolutionary apprenticeship program, officially expanding the New York registered apprenticeship model into Nanotechnology. The CEG has been a long-time partner of the Department through their Advanced Manufacturing programs, and this new apprenticeship will help to train our workforce in the high-tech fields that will continue to shape our economy in the future,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon.

“MACNY is proud to partner with CEG and the members of the Manufacturers Alliance of New York to expand Registered Apprenticeship across New York State. Thanks to these efforts, the Nanotechnology Engineering Technician trade will allow for new opportunities to upskill our workforce in the jobs for tomorrow, especially as New York firmly establishes itself as a national leader in semiconductor and nanotechnology manufacturing,” said MACNY Executive Vice President Michael Frame.

“The approval of the Nanotechnology Engineering Technician apprenticeship in New York reflects the state’s leadership in building a world-class workforce for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries. New York is setting a powerful example by aligning training opportunities with industry needs, paving the way for meaningful careers and long-term economic growth,” said Mike Russo, President & CEO of NIICA. “At the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™, we’re honored to partner with CEG and others through our Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors™ (GAINS) program, to support the development of NET occupation and apprentices in gaining the skills and experience they need to thrive. This initiative isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about creating a stronger, more resilient future for individuals, businesses, and communities.”

“Hudson Valley Community College is committed to the future of workforce training in the Capital Region, and we’ve been expanding our programming, partnerships and facilities to offer more opportunities for students to prepare for the well-paid, in-demand jobs that local employers need filled, especially in areas like skilled trades and applied technologies,” said Hudson Valley Community College Officer in Charge Louis Coplin. “The creation of the Nanotechnology Engineering Technician trade and the programming that will go with it is a perfect example of how collaborating with business and community partners and organizations can benefit all of us and help create a brighter future for our region.”

About CEG

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 a 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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Eaton News Release: Eaton Wins Contract to Help Power Semiconductor Research at NY CREATES’ New Facility in New York

NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex

Eaton News Release View Original

  • Eaton power distribution equipment and monitoring software establish resilient energy backbone for state-of-the-art semiconductor R&D

January 14, 2025

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced a contract valued at approximately $20M to help support the construction of the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science’s (NY CREATES) new NanoFab Reflection semiconductor research and development facility at its Albany NanoTech Complex. Featuring a 50,000 square-foot cleanroom, the initiative will significantly expand the non-profit organization’s capabilities by providing a state-of-the-art environment to further the research, development and commercialization of essential computer chip technology. The project, expected to be complete in 2026, is partially funded by New York State, NY CREATES, its key industry partners and the $52 billion U.S. CHIPS & Science Act.

“Semiconductors are the backbone of nearly every industry worldwide and their precise production relies heavily on dependable power”

“Semiconductors are the backbone of nearly every industry worldwide and their precise production relies heavily on dependable power,” said John Rhodes, president of Eaton’s electrical assemblies and residential solutions in the Americas. “We are confident our power management solutions and software meet NY CREATES’ rigorous standards for power quality, reliability and efficiency while upholding the highest levels of safety.”

The project expands NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex to strengthen its fully integrated research, development, prototyping and workforce development ecosystem that provides technology acceleration for on-site corporate partners, including IBM, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Lam Research, among others. The new facility will also support next-generation nanotechnology research activities, including hands-on internships for students along with career opportunities, and will be home to the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, a flagship National Semiconductor Technology Center facility.

Eaton is supplying low- and medium-voltage switchgear to provide centralized control and protection for sensitive electronic devices across the new NanoFab Reflection building. Additionally, NY CREATES is applying Eaton’s Brightlayer electrical power monitoring system across its Albany NanoTech Complex to streamline facility management through visibility into energy systems that helps identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and avoid unplanned downtime.

Learn more about how Eaton’s solutions help maximize the full potential of smart buildings.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
[email protected]

Regina Parundik
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
[email protected]

Media Mentions:

Financial Times: Eaton Wins Contract to Help Power Semiconductor Research at NY CREATES’ New Facility in New York

Stock Titan: Eaton Wins Contract to Help Power Semiconductor Research at NY CREATES’ New Facility in New York

Evertiq: Eaton wins contract to support NY CREATES’ new facility

GuruFocus: Eaton Corp PLC Secures $20M Contract for Semiconductor R&D Facility

DPS|Gilbane, A Joint Venture: Strategic Partnership Created to Deliver Landmark Expansion Project at Albany NanoTech Complex for NY CREATES

The Albany NanoTech Complex
DPS|GILBANE PRESS RELEASE

 

, NY – The newest addition to the NY CREATES’ infrastructure is a state-of-the-art, four-story research and development facility housing a new 50,000 SF ISO 5 cleanroom with accompanying sub-fab. The NanoFab Reflection building, or NFR, is a purposefully and suitably named reflection of the existing high-tech architecture of the site. The Albany NanoTech Complex Expansion extends beyond the ultramodern NFR building itself to a new 900-car parking garage, and a high voltage switchyard upgrade.

With the completion of the project, the non-profit NY CREATES, with key industry, government, and academic partners, will be able to move forward with this new $10 billion High NA EUV Lithography Center to enable development of the world’s most advanced computer chips and drive the long-term growth of New York’s high-tech economy while creating and retaining thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The initiative is supported by New York State’s investment through Empire State Development of $1 billion, which will include the purchase of ASML’s EXE:5200 High NA EUV scanner in addition to the facilities expansion that will encourage future partner growth. This further underpins the recent announcement of NY CREATES as home to the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, an NSTC facility under the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act, which will bring additional R&D funding and cement the region’s place as a key domestic chips hub.

To meet the challenges associated with advanced wafer fab design and construction on an active site with operational R&D facilities, a highly experienced, collaborative team with a local presence and a history of successful onsite projects, field expertise and an extensive background in advanced technology was pivotal in executing the next phase of the Albany Nanotech Complex’s growth. In response to the requirements of the large-scale NanoFab Reflection Project, DPS Advanced Technology Group, Inc. (DPS ATG) and Gilbane Building Company established DPS|Gilbane, a Joint Venture.

DPS|Gilbane has engaged Arcadis to provide design services including architecture and engineering. To navigate the advanced preconstruction systems and complexities of construction, an amalgamation of DPS ATG and Gilbane Building Company staff work together directly under the Joint Venture to perform the comprehensive services of procurement, logistics, and construction management on this major project.

Special recognition is owed to the numerous design consultants who contributed to the project, including CHA, Unistress Corporation, Applied High Voltage, Colin Gordon Associates, and Pizzano Consulting Engineers, LLC.

These visionary advancements at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex supporting ongoing workforce education and research & development related to semiconductors are achieved through innovative project management systems cultivated by the design-build team and its collective experience. The Joint Venture team will employ best-in-class techniques, including Off Site Manufacturing (OSM), to meet the ambitious schedule for the NFR project. By leveraging advanced modelling and virtual design and construction platforms, the design-build team integrates the stakeholders into the planning and design process early which fosters timely decisions, active discussions, and optimizes each phase of the project. This promotes safety and enables cost certainty, schedule reliability, and proactive risk management to ultimately deliver the facility as envisioned.

“To be part of the next chapter here at the Albany NanoTech Complex is an honor,” said Nathan W. Speanburg, P.E., PMP, Project Management Director US Semiconductor, DPS ATG. “DPS ATG and their partner in the Joint Venture, Gilbane Building Company, has put together an awe-inspiring team of top-notch talent that wouldn’t be possible without collaboration between two companies such as ours. The entire team is excited to design and build the next building here and continue to provide services towards the expansion of the semiconductor industry in New York and across the Country.”

“This Complex is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of semiconductor innovation here in New York and across the country,” said Christian Calabrese, Senior Project Executive, Gilbane Building Company. “We’re committed to delivering this design-build project with quality, excellence, and precision to help support this hub for cutting-edge research and collaboration between academia and the industry. Our Joint Venture team will focus on collaboration and innovation to drive the best outcomes on this project.”

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) is dedicated to fostering innovative chips-focused R&D, the expansion of technology jobs in New York State, and related workforce development through industry-connected innovation and commercialization projects, such as the NanoFab Reflection project initiative. Semiconductors play a crucial role in driving the global economy, and with the impressive growth of its Albany NanoTech Complex, NY CREATES is actively contributing to encouraging innovation in an essential technological domain, paving the way for next-generation computer chips that are faster and more energy efficient.

Dr. Christopher Borst, Vice President of Technology & Infrastructure at NY CREATES, said: “DPS|Gilbane have been entrusted as strategic partners to build NY CREATES’ new NanoFab Reflection and supporting facilities at our Albany NanoTech Complex. We look forward to the expansion of our critical infrastructure. Once complete, this project will drive next-generation semiconductor advancements for years to come.”

About DPS Advanced Technology Group, Inc.

Serving high-tech industries around the world, DPS Advanced Technology Group, Inc., a member of the Arcadis group of companies, delivers full-service across project management, procurement, design, construction management, and safety management with a focus on Advanced Process Manufacturing Industries. For more information, visit www.dpsgroupglobal.com, www.arcadis.com.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane Building Company is a global leader in construction management, delivering high-quality projects for clients across various markets. Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services. Founded in 1870, Gilbane is still a privately held, family-owned company. With more than 45 office locations worldwide, Gilbane brings world-class experience to local communities.
For 75 years, Gilbane has delivered construction services in New York State for clients across multiple market sectors, including commercial office, multi-unit, and high-rise residential, cultural, education, healthcare, public sector, science and technology, and sports and entertainment.

For more information, visit https://www.gilbaneco.com