New program supports technicians at NY CREATES' Albany NanoTech Complex, marking a national first for semiconductor research facilities
ALBANY, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) and NY CREATES, a world-leading non-profit research and development innovation hub and semiconductor commercialization facilitator, have announced the first cohort of apprentices entering its newly established Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
The innovative, competency-based program, which will support development of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science's (NY CREATES') Albany NanoTech Complex in New York, is part of NIICA's overall Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors(GAINS) program. The Center for Economic Growth, the region's group sponsor and NIICA partner, is the sponsor of the program.
Initially, the RAP will focus on training current NY CREATES employees, many of whom hold associate and bachelor's degrees, accelerating their on-the-job training. Phase two will expand to include external recruitment from educational institutions in the K-12 system, creating a seamless pathway for graduating high school students to transition into apprenticeships at NY CREATES' state-of-the-art research facility, which is supporting national efforts, such as the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act, and aims to enable future-related initiatives, such as the National Semiconductor Technology Center, that could mean billions of dollars in investments and hundreds of additional high-tech careers.
"We see the GAINS program as an integral component of our workforce development strategy moving forward," said NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, Dr. Robert Geer. "We intend to leverage this U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Registered Apprenticeship Program to create pathways for individuals throughout the region to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry, starting their careers right here at NY CREATES, as we enable leading-edge chip R&D and commercialization, economic advancement, and workforce development for New York State and the nation."
"This cooperative program with NY CREATES is focused on developing the operational workforce at the nation's leading non-profit chip R&D facility. Establishing a Registered Apprenticeship that provides a strong foundation for career advancement is an added benefit. As the nation's leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development, we are excited to be collaborating with NY CREATES on this model program," said Mike Russo, President and CEO of NIICA.
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