CHIPS Ahoy! Issue 4

Welcome to the fourth edition of CHIPS Ahoy! This issue was written by Jahari Henry, Policy Matters Summer 2025 intern. This month, we explore how Ohio—and the nation—are building the next generation of high-tech talent through innovative workforce development and education initiatives.

The CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022, was designed to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce America’s reliance on foreign supply chains. The legislation allocated $13 billion specifically dedicated to education and workforce development. These funds aim to ensure that the U.S can build and sustain a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of the semiconductor industry.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) estimates that the CHIPS Act could add 115,000 jobs nationwide before the end of the decade — but education and training aren’t keeping up with demand: SIA also estimates the industry could face a shortfall of 67,000 skilled workers. This gap underscores the urgent need for targeted educational strategies to align talent supply with industry demand.

To meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor sector, Ohio has taken a proactive and collaborative approach, engaging educational institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies in coordinated efforts to create a homegrown talent pipeline. One of the most visible examples is Intel’s Semi-Conductor Education Research Program, which will fund collaboration among Ohio colleges and universities as they develop new curricula, training programs, and research initiatives to grow the workforce for the semiconductor industry in Ohio.

The state has also launched initiatives like the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network, which brings together regional universities and community colleges to align course offerings with industry needs and accelerate credentialing programs. Investments in K–12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education have also expanded, with several districts piloting career tech pathways that introduce students to microelectronics as early as middle school.

Other states have their own strategies for leveraging CHIPS Act funding and public-private partnerships. Arizonahas invested $15 million in the Future48 workforce accelerator, in collaboration with Maricopa Community Colleges,  to train students for jobs in the state’s growing advanced manufacturing industry.  Idaho has paired industry investment from Micron with state-led career grants and workforce development funds—also incorporating wraparound supports like child care. Texas has taken a broad-scale, state-backed approach, allocating over $600 million to fund post-secondary research and development programs. New York has layered federal grants, cleanroom lab construction, and large-scale K-12 STEM investments to prepare students at all levels. Notably, this is being done by unionized workers with the American Federation of Teachers: $1.72 million was granted to train educators on administering instruction for semiconductor careers.

Like Texas, Ohio has embraced a statewide coordination model that links community colleges, public universities, and major industry partners like Intel. And like New York, Ohio has invested in K-12 career pathways and STEM education while building industry-informed curricula. Ohio would do well to consider Idaho’s investment in wraparound supports like housing and childcare—critical components for long-term workforce retention and equity.

But retention depends on more than just training. It would be short-sighted to prepare workers for semiconductor careers without ensuring they can afford to live, raise families, and thrive here.  Intel has publicly committed to creating jobs with average salaries around $135,000 per year at its Ohio facilities, albeit through a mix of positions including high-paying white collar roles.

Wages alone, however, aren’t enough. The influx of talent will increase pressure on local housing markets, especially in Licking and Franklin Counties. A 2022 study found that Licking County “only has 34 affordable units for every 100 low-rent households.” Local, state, and business leaders must address the issue of housing if we want Ohio to reap the maximum benefits of this investment.

Reliable and affordable child care is another critical factor for those raising or starting families. Intel had pledged support for on-site child care and family services at its Ohio locations when they released their community impact report in November of 2024.  Under the Trump administration, however, it’s unclear whether and how the corporation will be held accountable for following through on those promises.

Even less clear is whether the corporation will do more than pay lip service to equity, inclusion, and other Good Jobs Principles, for example ensuring that K-12 and community college programs are accessible to students from historically underrepresented communities and that every Ohioan has a pathway into the semiconductor workforce. The Ohio CHIPS Coalition will be working to make sure those promises become reality.