By Okon Ekpenyong

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, along with Intel, JobsOhio, Technical College, and community colleges of the state, unveiled short-term certificates and semiconductor degrees at Central Ohio Technical College in Newark, Ohio, along with career pathways designed to prepare workers for the new semiconductor industry.

On July 31st, the dignitaries who attended the unveiling of the curriculum for Intel jobs at the Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College in Newark praised all those involved in helping launch the programs to prepare workers for semiconductor careers in Licking County, Ohio, before the much-anticipated Grand Opening of Intel’s $20 billion investment in two new chip factories in Licking County, Ohio.

As more manufacturing companies move to Ohio in the near future, these training programs will help fill job openings and vacancies. Some engineering firms, such as Jacobs, Siemens, and Battle, also have semiconductor positions.

The new programs will focus on training individuals for the skills necessary for positions in the semiconductor industry, such as chip design, fabrication, and testing. The program will also include troubleshooting, repair, and process engineering.

“The unemployment rate in Ohio is among the lowest it has ever been, and Ohio continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating additional employment opportunities. As Intel was searching for a location for its largest manufacturing facility, we had to ensure that we could provide the workforce the company needed to staff its employees. A prime example of this is the launch of this program”, said that’s the new governor Husted.

At the Central Ohio Technical College in Newark, Asif Khan, the Program Director of the Department of Engineering, told the New Americans Magazine that he is looking forward to ensuring that future generations of high schoolers, as well as those wishing to explore other opportunities, not only take these courses but also have the skilled sets to compete for roles for companies like Intel.

“Seventy percent of engineering is hands-on training, so if students start learning autocad earlier and work on informal and formal learning, they are likely to meet the qualification for admission and also have the chance to excel in this industry,” said Khan.

Khan, who is Pakistan-American and has been at the institution for some time, including his time as a student, is committed to helping increase diversity in this exciting and rewarding field.

The Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration network worked with Ohio’s community colleges, Ohio Technical Centers, Career Centers, and school districts across the state to approve a curriculum at no charge. It will allow institutions to align the new courses with their college credit plus classes. The new curriculum includes manufacturing foundations, semiconductor 101, and vacuum systems, taught online/lecture with limited lab time.

The new Manufacturing Program will allow students to learn the necessary skills and gain the certifications needed to become successful Semiconductor Workers.

A semiconductor certification will open the door for a candidate to seek employment opportunities such as Entry Technician within the industry after completing the curriculum for one year. Furthermore, suppose they choose to obtain an associate of applied science. In that case, one can pursue a career as a midlevel technician and a career as a process or quality engineer after completing a bachelor’s degree.

Updates on the construction

A $54 billion Chips and science act was supposed to go to the mega-project in New Albany, but Intel says it has yet to receive any federal funds since announcing it a year and a half ago.

In a statement, US Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, one of the strongest supporters of the project and a voter for the infrastructure bill, said, “Pausing construction on the new Intel plant in central Ohio due to redundant federal reviews is unacceptable.” When we drove by the site, a chalk portion of Green Chapel Rd, Miller Rd, Duncan Plains Rd, and Mink St in New Albany, where Intel will be, was blocked off. The lane is still clearing, and some of the construction is underway.

In September 2022, President Biden attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, and less than a year later, Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network working with technical colleges and other institutions statewide to launch a semiconductor certificate and degree curriculum is a promising step forward.

The general manager of Intel Ohio, Jim Envers, also praised how the state and other public-private businesses are working together to launch programs that will help support the workforce needed to keep the plant running and other accommodations as construction is ongoing.

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