State Awards Grants to Build Workforce Pathways in the Semiconductor Industry
The HECC is awarding $8.5 million from the Oregon Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund to eight grantees that are active members of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST)
Salem, Oregon - The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce that it has offered $8.5 million in grants from Oregon’s Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund (STSF) to eight grantees to build workforce pathways in the semiconductor industry and support the growth of this sector in Oregon. The funds were allocated to the STSF by Governor Tina Kotek and awarded to seven higher education institutions and one nonprofit organization that are active members of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), a partnership led by Oregon State University and consisting of 95 cross-sector partners. These investments will connect Oregonians to high‑wage, high‑demand careers and further strengthen the state’s semiconductor talent pipeline.
The STSF, administered by the HECC, was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2024 (HB 4154) to provide education, training, and research that support semiconductor innovation and productivity, as well as credentials for careers in semiconductor‑related fields. Governor Kotek directed a one‑time investment of $10 million in Oregon CHIPS Act funding (state General Funds) to the STSF, and the $8.5 million in awards announced this month are from that investment.
The grantees, all participants in FAST, are Chemeketa Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Oregon STEM, Portland Community College, Portland State University, and University of Oregon, and their project descriptions are summarized below. Led by Oregon State University, FAST is a partnership of 95 organizations—spanning industry, higher education, government, and non-profits—that is working to promote semiconductor innovation and economic growth in Oregon. FAST is also currently a finalist for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine award that, if awarded, would provide substantial funding over the next ten years.
Governor Kotek said, “Oregon is a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation, and these critical investments will keep powering us forward. These funds will help unlock the potential of our colleges and universities to meet our growing workforce demands and elevate future talent across Oregon."
Ben Cannon, executive director of the HECC, said, “These funds will seed and bolster innovative training and education initiatives that are designed to ensure that Oregonians across the state have onramps to promising careers in the semiconductor industry. As partners in FAST, Oregon colleges, universities and nonprofits are already actively collaborating to drive innovation and economic growth in this industry, and these investments will open up exciting new opportunities for students and communities.”
The HECC selected the FAST members for direct awards based on their close alignment with the statutory requirements of the STSF, demonstrated impact, and meaningful engagement in the FAST initiative. The grant projects have a focus on:
- Advancement of innovation, workforce access, and industry responsiveness
- Expansion of career pathways and credentials
- Alignment with industry-identified priorities
- Promotion of diversity and inclusion
- Statewide access to training and economic opportunity
- Leveraging federal and state investments
- Utilization of the 2024 Semiconductor Workforce & Talent Assessment
The projects supported by these preliminary awards span the K-12 to career continuum, expanding upon existing, successful programs while also supporting emerging, innovative programs aligned with industry talent needs:
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Chemeketa Community College ($550k) will pilot a semiconductor “Career Navigator” program for expansion to other community colleges and outfit a mock fab room for hands-on training.
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Mt. Hood Community College ($1M) will sustain and expand its Elevate Careers and Mechatronics programs.
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Oregon Institute of Technology ($650k) will collaborate with other universities to develop semiconductor courses to be shared with any Oregon college or university and expand dual credit opportunities in high schools.
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Oregon State University ($1.6M) will expand its experiential learning opportunities in training labs to additional colleges and universities, develop new modules and courses that will be available to other universities and increase remote-delivery of semiconductor course content.
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Oregon STEM ($1M) will expand CHIP-In K-12 education externships, develop career technical education (CTE) programs supporting semiconductor pathways and expand an artificial intelligence math pilot across the state.
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Portland Community College ($1.2M) will increase dual credit and pathway engagement for semiconductor training, and sustain and expand its Quick Start program.
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Portland State University ($1M) will collaborate with other universities on the development of semiconductor courses and expand dual credit opportunities in high schools.
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University of Oregon ($1.5M) will expand immersive learning experiences and industry internships, collaborate with other universities on the development of semiconductor courses and demonstrate K-12 Career Pathways for scaling to other universities.
The HECC will continue to coordinate with grantees to ensure that implementation of these programs supports state semiconductor workforce needs, including through reporting and accountability structures consistent with requirements.
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