The University of Texas at Dallas will direct regional workforce development initiatives for the semiconductor industry as part of the newly established National Network for Microelectronics Education South Regional Node. The selection positions the university to expand an existing North Texas consortium dedicated to technician training and to manage employer engagement across the southern United States.
The expanded consortium brings together Collin College, Dallas College, Grayson College, Tarrant County College, and Murray State College in Oklahoma. UT Arlington will function as an independent evaluator for the group. The broader NNME South initiative is led by UT Austin and covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The program is eligible for up to $20 million in funding over five years and receives support from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Commerce Department, and the SEMI Foundation.
Dr. Ted Moise, director of the North Texas Semiconductor Institute at UT Dallas, cited the reshoring of semiconductor manufacturing and the expansion of artificial intelligence as primary drivers for the demand in advanced manufacturing expertise. He stated that the institute aims to collaborate with industry and academic partners to equip workers with the specific knowledge and skills required by employers.
The workforce development push aligns with significant capital investments by companies including Texas Instruments, GlobalWafers America, Coherent Corp., and FormFactor in North Texas. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the U.S. semiconductor sector is projected to create 115,000 new jobs by 2030. Moise estimated that 29,000 of those positions will be located within the NNME South region. Technicians constitute the largest category of workforce shortages, with many roles accessible through community college certificate programs that offer competitive starting salaries.
Since its launch in 2023, the North Texas Semiconductor Institute has worked with the U.S. Department of Education to address industry visibility challenges. Dr. Eden Zielinski, assistant director of the institute, noted that career starters often overlook the sector because they are unaware of its existence. Through job fairs and recruiting events over the past three years, the institute has engaged nearly 60,000 prospective students.
