From Flipping Burgers to Semiconductor Technician: A Career Shift

Nolan Cottingham transitioned from working at In-N-Out to pursuing a career in the semiconductor industry through the newly established technician apprenticeship program at TSMC Arizona. This initiative offers individuals the chance to work full-time in semiconductor manufacturing while earning a certificate as a process technician. Not only does this program provide valuable employment opportunities, but it also allows participants to further their education without incurring significant debt.

Cottingham, who had initially struggled with the high costs of college after graduating high school, found the apprenticeship appealing. “I’m good with computers, I’m good with thinking on the fly,” he stated. “I didn’t want to spend until I’m 40 years old paying back college debt.” Approximately a year into the program, he is now part of TSMC Arizona’s diffusion team, working four days a week while attending classes on safety, data visualization, advanced manufacturing, and metrology.

Apprenticeship Program Overview

The apprenticeship program was launched with funding from the Arizona Commerce Authority and support from other organizations, including TSMC Arizona and the industry trade group SEMI Foundation. TSMC hires process technicians and enrolls them in a registered apprenticeship program, which has garnered significant interest. According to Lauren Majure, the business and educational partnerships manager at Northern Arizona University (NAU), hundreds of individuals expressed interest in joining the first cohort.

Majure noted that many students lack prior experience in the field but possess the aptitude that employers seek. “We found a good group of people who think in that manner,” she remarked. The program encompasses eight courses—four from Rio Salado College, three from NAU, and a safety course conducted at TSMC Arizona. NAU professors cover topics such as advanced math, instrumentation, and metrology, making the program robust and comprehensive.

Students also benefit from practical experiences, including field trips to NAU’s Microelectronics Processing and Characterization Testing (MPaCT) Center, which is equipped with advanced semiconductor tools for research and instructional purposes. This collaboration is part of NAU’s expanding role in the semiconductor sector, which includes the establishment of a Semiconductor Training Center at its North Valley campus in Phoenix.

Industry Growth and Job Opportunities

The semiconductor manufacturing sector is witnessing rapid growth, particularly in Arizona, where the demand for microchips is on the rise. However, a significant challenge persists: there are not enough qualified individuals to fill the increasing number of positions. This issue is prevalent across the United States. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the industry is expected to add nearly 115,000 jobs by 2030, including over 26,000 technicians and 27,000 engineers.

Majure emphasized the importance of programs like the apprenticeship in addressing this workforce gap. “With a decrease in college attendance, there simply aren’t enough workers to fill the jobs that will be coming,” she explained. The good news is that job prospects for semiconductor processing technicians are promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an expected growth rate of 11% for these positions over the next decade, which is significantly faster than the average for other occupations.

For Cottingham, the role of a process technician varies daily, which adds to the appeal of his work. Initially, he found the learning curve steep, often feeling overwhelmed by unfamiliar terminology and processes. “It was a little like learning in a foreign language,” he recalled. “I thought, ‘Will I ever be able to learn this?’ But then around the two-month mark, it became a normal thing.” His experience underscores the valuable learning opportunities in the program, which encourages participants to invest their time and effort into their roles.

In summary, the technician apprenticeship program at TSMC Arizona represents a significant step forward in workforce development within the semiconductor industry. With the collaboration of educational institutions and industry leaders, it offers a pathway for aspiring technicians like Nolan Cottingham to build fulfilling careers while addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in this vital sector.