Science Committee Members Introduce Bill to Build a Strong and Diverse Chip Workforce

June 29, 2022

Science Committee Members Introduce Bill to Build a Strong and Diverse Chip Workforce

(Washington, DC)-Yesterday, Subcommittee on Research and Technology Chairwoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced H.R. 8251, the Creating Helpful Initiatives to Produce Personnel in Needed Growth Industries or, the CHIPPING IN Act of 2022.Chairwoman Stevens was joined by Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) in introducing this legislation. The CHIPPING IN Act will support the growth, retention, and development of a diverse, flexible, and sustainable chips workforce that meets the evolving needs of the microelectronics industry, academia, and government.

"We invented and innovated the semiconductor chip in the United States but are currently only manufacturing 12% of the global supply," said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). "We're experiencing the semiconductor chip shortage first-hand in Oakland County, where we have parking lots full of cars that cannot be sold due to missing chips. Solving the semiconductor chips shortage and investing in the semiconductor workforce is essential to our country's success as we re-shore American manufacturing and lead the world in innovation. The CHIPPING IN Act will help the U.S. develop a diverse and sustainable semiconductor workforce that meets the evolving needs of universities, community colleges, national laboratories, and companies across the microelectronics supply chain. I thank my colleagues, Rep. Kildee, Rep. Gonzalez, and Rep. Waltz for joining me in this effort and I look forward to the action on this ahead."

"Everything we touch from our phones to our cars, TVs, navigation systems, and so much more need microelectronics to function," said Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL). "But right now, the United States does not have the available, capable workforce here at home to manufacture the microelectronics that Americans rely on. Instead, we have almost completely outsourced our semiconductor manufacturing to other countries over the last few decades, including our greatest adversary today, China. To remain competitive on the global stage, we must meet the demands of this growing industry by investing in a technical workforce at our colleges and universities. STEM education is the future."

"Right now, in my hometown of Flint, thousands of cars sit unfinished, just waiting for semiconductor chips that are made overseas. American-made cars shouldn't be wholly reliant on foreign-made chips. That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to help bring semiconductor chip production back to the United States," said Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI). "By investing in Michigan workers, we can ensure our workforce is ready to attract and fill these high-skilled jobs. In Congress, I'll keep working to bring critical manufacturing back to America."

"The United States, and particularly my home state of Ohio, is at a critical point to re-shore microelectronics manufacturing," said Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH). "It is important to ensure that the next generation of workers are equipped with the skills needed to compete. I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation which will incentivize U.S. colleges and universities in training the future of the semiconductor workforce."

The bipartisan CHIPPING IN Act takes a multifaceted approach to raising awareness, increasing opportunities for students to pursue degrees at all levels, and providing hands-on opportunities in microelectronics for students who will be the future of this growing and critical workforce. The bill creates National Science Foundation awards for institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and consortia to advance innovative approaches to developing, improving, and expanding evidence-based microelectronics education and workforce development activities.

Additionally, the bill establishes traineeship programs to fund research for students who pursue microelectronics in their masters or doctorate degree. The traineeship program will give priority to proposals that are led by a Historically Black College and University, Tribal College or University, or Minority Serving Institution to increase the recruitment of students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM to pursue graduate studies in microelectronics.

Finally, the CHIPPING IN Act of 2022 creates a national network for microelectronic education - competitive, merit-reviewed awards to institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to establish partnerships to enhance and broaden participation in microelectronics education. This national network of partnerships for microelectronics ensures organizations coordinate activities, best practice sharing, and access to facilities across the partnerships.

Supporting organizations include:

• American Automotive Policy Council
• American Semiconductor Academy Initiative
• Intel
• SEMI

"The U.S. auto sector supports efforts to bring about a revolutionary change in higher education and other organizations that results in growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector leading to greater domestic production of critical products including auto-grade semiconductors. Congresswoman Haley Stevens' CHIPPING IN Act of 2022 will aid in fueling a new generation of students to pursue degrees in microelectronics and help the U.S. build a growing and robust semiconductor manufacturing sector in the United States," said Governor Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council.

"The CHIPPING IN Act of 2022 recognizes the serious workforce challenges facing this industry now and, in the future, and takes important steps to ensure growth in this critical industry…" said Ajit Manocha, President & Chief Executive Officer, SEMI. "This bill supports the greater goal of creating a larger, more skilled, and more diverse microelectronics workforce to meet the needs of our industry and economy."

Click here for more information and a one-pager on H.R. 8251.

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