Innovative program to bolster Applied's technician training
program and broaden the talent pipeline in Texas
HANOVER,
Md., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the
National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT), the leader
in developing the nation's semiconductor talent pipeline, and
Applied Materials, Inc. ("Applied"), the world's largest
semiconductor equipment group, announced an agreement to establish
a Registered Apprenticeship Program designed specifically to
strengthen the company's technician and assembler workforce.
The innovative, competency-based program is the first of its
kind in the state of Texas and
will utilize NIIT's National Talent Hub to identify individuals,
assess and align skills and provide targeted training for
semiconductor equipment manufacturing. The regional partners
supporting program implementation include Austin Community College, the Texas Department of
Labor and Workforce Solutions of Texas.
"Applied Materials is excited to launch this key program at our
Austin manufacturing site," said
David Immenhauser, Vice President of
Manufacturing at Applied Materials. "We welcome NIIT's support to
help implement a program that leverages our strong relationships
with Austin Community College and
Workforce Solutions to help increase and diversify the talent
pipeline for the semiconductor industry. Program participants will
benefit from access to the latest in learning methods from
Austin Community College, along with
opportunities to apply new skills at a high-tech employer such as
Applied Materials."
NIIT has the exclusive U.S. Department of Labor contract to lead
the expansion of the nation's Registered Apprenticeship Programs in
the semiconductor and nanotechnology related industries. The
Applied initiative is part of NIIT's "Growing Apprenticeships in
Nanotechnology and Semiconductors" (GAINS) program, designed
specifically to meet the needs of the semiconductor industry.
Applied Materials provides foundational technology for the
semiconductor industry, supporting chip production facilities
around the world. The Applied initiative will include entry level
engineers and offer pathways for individuals participating in GAINS
pre-apprenticeships. The program will initially focus on Assembler
and Technician roles and will be scaled nationally across target
sites.
"The GAINS program comes at a time when the industry is
struggling to maintain a stream of qualified talent –a problem that
will grow in the years ahead as more semiconductor fabs emerge in
the U.S.", said Mike Russo, the
President and CEO of NIIT. "At NIIT, we are charged with creating
the national strategy and infrastructure to develop the talent
pipeline in strategic sectors. We are excited to be supporting
Applied Materials, a technology leader and the largest provider of
equipment to semiconductor fabs around the world."
"Apprenticeships are industry-driven, high-quality career
pathways through which employers can develop and prepare their
future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience,
classroom instruction, and transferable credentials," said the
United States Department of Labor. "The Department oversees
Registered Apprenticeship Programs, which assist employers in
developing an immediate pool of workers with the right skills for
available jobs and allow workers to get a paycheck from day one
while they build skills in a new career."
"ACC understands the need to collaborate with the
industry to provide a workforce that will continue to develop
the skills needed as technology evolves," said Dr. Laura Marmolejo, Associate Dean of Advanced
Manufacturing Programs at Austin Community College.
"Austin's booming employer
landscape and low unemployment rate contributes to the challenge of
finding qualified candidates to fill numerous new roles, but
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is responding to this growth
strategically for the benefit of both the job seekers and employers
in our region," Tamara Atkinson, CEO
of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. "With learnings from our
existing apprenticeship programs, we have been able to creatively
envision apprenticeships in other nontraditional industries, such
as manufacturing. We're thrilled to partner with Applied Materials
and NIIT to continue growing these valuable opportunities."
About the National Institute for
Innovation and Technology (NIIT)
NIIT is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to identify
roadblocks to innovation in strategic industry sectors – those
important to the nation's security and global competitiveness - and
ensure they are eliminated. Talent pipeline development is the
major focus of NIIT, and through comprehensive industry engagement,
NIIT is leading the deployment of a national strategy and
infrastructure to broaden and build the talent pipeline for the
semiconductor industry and strategic industry sectors. Through its
National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative and the support of
the federal government, NIIT has developed a comprehensive,
nationally integrated approach that includes the alignment of
programs K-12 through higher education and adult and veteran
training, infrastructure to attract a broader population and
improve access, connections to careers and needed training, and the
ability to scale to support the nation. For more information, visit
www.niit-usa.org.
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:
AMAT) is the leader in materials engineering solutions used
to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the
world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on
an industrial scale enables customers to transform possibilities
into reality. At Applied Materials, our innovations make possible a
better future. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
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SOURCE National Institute for Innovation and Technology
(NIIT)