SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the CHIPS Training in America Act on July 10, 2024. This bipartisan initiative aims to enhance the microchip manufacturing workforce to meet the demand from semiconductor manufacturers expanding their operations in the United States.

The bill mandates a national microelectronics workforce development strategic plan and establishes a grant program to foster workforce development partnerships between industry, localities, and community colleges.

Senator Budd stated, “North Carolina leads the way in technological innovation and manufacturing. I am proud to work with Senator Kelly to introduce the CHIPS Training in America Act, which will better direct already-appropriated workforce development funds towards job-specific training in microelectronics. By partnering industry with educational institutions, this bill will help workers compete for good-paying jobs while also making it possible for more critical semiconductor assembly, packaging, and testing to be brought back to the United States.”

Senator Kelly remarked, “Microchip manufacturers are investing tens of billions of dollars to grow their operations here at home, and now we’ve got to get more Americans the skills and training they need to fill the great-paying jobs being created. Our bill takes a strategic approach to boost the types of partnerships between manufacturers and community colleges that we’re already seeing working in Arizona. That’s how we’re going to get more Arizonans and Americans the skills they need to start careers in microchip manufacturing without a four-year degree.”

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) commented, “As semiconductor production and innovation expand in the U.S., it is critical for government and industry to work together to promote a robust and skilled semiconductor workforce. The bipartisan CHIPS Training in America Act of 2024 advances key priorities of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, creating valuable resources and benchmarks to support the growing U.S. chip industry workforce. We commend Sen. Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Budd (R-N.C.) for introducing this important legislation and urge prompt Senate action.”