University of Minnesota provides new hands-on training for semiconductor workforce
New funding will help create learning modules focused on microdevice fabrication
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/19/2024) — University of Minnesota’s Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) and the Minnesota Nano Center recently announced the addition of new training modules to help build the next generation semiconductor workforce through the Minnesota Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium (MSMC).
This partnership was made possible in part through a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)-funded grant, with signatories Honeywell, Seagate, and Medtronic. Most notably, Seagate and Medtronic are new consortium members who are joining past consortium members Raytheon’s Collins Aerospace, Honeywell, and Polar Semiconductor.
The new $100,000 grant will facilitate the creation of seven additional learning modules focusing on microdevice fabrication. Topics covered will include microelectromechanical systems, finite element analysis, electroplating, and trends in emerging devices.
The new training will be designed to augment an initial delivery of 10 training modules launched by TLI in late 2023. That initial content was delivered to more than 60 employees from across Minnesota's semiconductor technology cluster, with the first students completing the content in April of 2024.
“This financial commitment reflects the strong partnership between industrial, academic and government institutions that has fueled MSMC’s extraordinary progress over a very short period of time,” said Allison Hubel, director of TLI. “By coordinating our efforts we’re rapidly building new training and upskilling modules which are critical to the future of this industry in Minnesota.”
Semiconductors are essential components in all electronics, powering everything from the chips in our smartphones to medical devices. The United States is a leader in the global semiconductor manufacturing and design market, which is expected to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030.
“The Minnesota Nano Center has been pleased to support this expansion of technology training opportunities,” said James Marti, senior scientist and outreach coordinator for the Nano Center. “We see improved training for microelectronics workers as essential to maintaining our region, and our nation, as centers of technology innovation.”
The Minnesota Nano Center plays an integral role in building complementary hands-on laboratory sessions. Once students complete the remote content, they are able to directly experience the technology in-person at the Nano Center through lab sessions. The combination of remote coursework, combined with practical experience, maximizes the impact education has on Minnesota's microfabrication workforce.
“I’m very excited that we are able to continue providing this short course for our industry partners,” said Dr. Seth Nfonoyim-Hara, guest instructor for the University’s program. “In addition to the modules created last year, we are building additional modules in response to the specific technologies used by our new and continuing industry partners.”
For more information about the The Minnesota Semiconductor Consortium and its industrial partnership program, contact TLI at info@tli.edu.