Currently worth $600 billion, the semiconductor industry is making its way to being worth $1 million by the year of 2030. Partnering with that, there is a longing need of skilled workers to achieve the work needed for the success of the industry. The amount of students who are currently considering a career in the semiconductor industry is scarce . For a successful industry, there is an aim for more than 500,000 to 600,000 workers within the next seven years. If that’s not a lot of people, I don’t know what is.

The U.S. government views the industry being as important as national security. Unfortunately, there’s a vast amount of college students who are not interested in engineering and there is also consideration that the costs of education is a barrier for a lot of students who want to pursue engineering. Some solutions thought of during a CHIP panel discussion was an idea of a “4+1” program. Helping students achieve their Bachelors and Masters degree within 5 years instead of 6.

Coordinators are also looking to mentor women and underserved minorities who are in the semiconductor industry. This can help to increase interest in other women and underserved minorities who would want to join the industry or get the exposure.

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