As billions pour into Arizona’s semiconductor industry, the need for skilled talent is no longer a future concern. It’s a present constraint.
With more than $200 billion in chip manufacturing investments reshaping the state’s economy, demand for engineers, technicians and specialized operators is outpacing supply. To help close that gap, SEMI, the global industry association for the semiconductor supply chain, is teaming up with Arizona State University to make advanced training more accessible than ever.
Their new collaboration launched through SEMI University. Each course provides a certificate from ASU upon completion, creating a new path for both students and working professionals to skill up without navigating traditional academic barriers.
The two organizations have launched a series of online courses through SEMI University, offering a slate of on-demand, self-paced online courses covering some of the industry’s most in-demand skills, from AI prompt engineering to semiconductor packaging and process optimization.
“Our partnership with ASU marks a significant step forward in delivering world-class semiconductor and AI education at scale,” says Shari Liss, vice president of global workforce development and initiatives at SEMI. “Together, we’re equipping current and future professionals with the critical, in-demand skills needed to accelerate innovation and ensure the continued growth of our industry.”
At a time when McKinsey projects that the global semiconductor workforce will need one million new workers by 2030, efforts like this aim to widen the talent pipeline, especially in fast-growing states like Arizona, where companies such as TSMC, Intel and Applied Materials are fueling an economic transformation.
ASU’s role in the partnership highlights the university’s broader commitment to aligning education with real-world industry needs.
“This collaboration exemplifies ASU’s commitment to aligning our educational expertise with the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry,” says Kyle Squires, ASU’s senior vice provost for engineering, computing and technology. “Expanding access to these programs through SEMI’s platform allows us to support emerging talent and strengthen global competitiveness in this critical sector.”
Courses already available include AI Foundations: Prompt Engineering; Semiconductor Packaging Design and Manufacturing; Scripting ChatGPT with Python; Characterization Techniques and Applications; and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification. Additional offerings on materials science, process optimization and prototyping are expected later this year.
While some jobs in the semiconductor sector require advanced degrees, many of the most urgently needed roles rely on specific certifications and applied skills, areas where upskilling can happen quickly if the training is accessible, affordable and aligned with industry standards. That’s where SEMI U comes in. With more than 800 courses already available across multiple languages, the platform has become a go-to training ground for everyone from cleanroom technicians to experienced engineers. SEMI’s broader workforce development program also supports student mentorships, veteran hiring and DEI-focused talent outreach across the U.S.
In Arizona, where semiconductor job postings in the Phoenix metro area rose nearly 50% last year, according to Lightcast, training initiatives like this are helping build a more connected talent pipeline — one that meets both local and global demand.
