Statement from the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement on National Semiconductor Day

The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement (NIICA) today released the following statement recognizing the third annual National Semiconductor Day, first established by NIICA through a congressional resolution, underscoring the critical importance of strengthening America’s semiconductor workforce to support economic competitiveness and national security. 

The U.S. semiconductor industry directly employs more than 345,000 workers, and while the industry’s workforce demand is expected to grow by nearly 115,000 jobs by 2030, roughly 67,000 jobs are at risk of going unfilled without a coordinated national workforce strategy.  

The United States is experiencing historic momentum in semiconductor investment, with new fabs, supplier expansions, and advanced manufacturing facilities emerging across multiple states. The Trump Administration’s continued emphasis on strengthening America’s workforce—including the One Million Apprentices initiative—builds on this momentum by directing federal agencies to expand Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) into high-demand industries.  

NIICA plays a central role in this national effort. Through its work as the U.S. Department of Labor’s national Intermediary for semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and tech-related industries, NIICA helps employers design and launch RAs, develop skill-based training models, and create aligned career pathways that support rapid, industry-relevant talent development. This work is supported by the National Talent Hub™ and NIICA's National Apprentice Network, and NIICA provides the tools, standards, and coordination needed to prepare workers for high-value careers across the semiconductor ecosystem. 

“We established National Semiconductor Day because the industry’s momentum deserves national recognition—and because the workforce challenge must be met with urgency,” said Mike Russo, President & CEO of NIICA. “Semiconductors sit at the center of America’s innovation, competitiveness, and security. None of that is possible without skilled people. NIICA’s mission is to help build that workforce at scale by aligning employers, educators, and training systems around proven models like Registered Apprenticeships. Today is a celebration of the progress we’ve made—and a call to strengthen the partnerships needed to build what comes next.” 

National Semiconductor Day reflects how far the industry has advanced—and underscores the work still required to ensure the United States has a strong, job-ready domestic workforce capable of sustaining long-term semiconductor growth. 

America’s leadership will depend not only on new fabs and investments, but on the people prepared to power them. 

About the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement   

NIICA is a 501(c)(3) organization that is responsible for a national strategy to build the talent pipeline to support strategic industry sectors – tech-based industries and advanced manufacturing tied to U.S. national security and global competitiveness.  NIICA is a national leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development strategy and is the U.S. Department of Labor's national RA industry Intermediary responsible for establishing and expanding Registered Apprenticeships throughout the semiconductor and broader nanotechnology-related industries and advanced manufacturing supply chain. All related programming and support are being advanced through NIICA's Center for Skill-based Learning and the National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative.