At a press event at JA BizTown, the Arizona Commerce Authority, in partnership with the National Network for Microelectronics Education, SEMI Foundation, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), announced the designation of NNME Southwest as an official NNME Regional Node—one of the nation’s anchor hubs for semiconductor workforce development.
The National Network for Microelectronics Education is a national effort to strengthen and scale America’s microelectronics workforce ecosystem. Supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, and operated by the SEMI Foundation, the NNME connects industry, education, workforce organizations, and government partners to build clearer pathways into semiconductor and microelectronics careers.
Convened by the Arizona Commerce Authority, NNME Southwest brings together 47 members across five states—Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Southern California—to build a regionally anchored, nationally scalable workforce system. The consortium spans postsecondary institutions, microelectronics employers, workforce organizations, K–12 and STEM partners, economic development agencies, and community‑based organizations.
Together, partners will align curriculum with employer needs, coordinate career pathways across the semiconductor value chain, and expand access to training, hands‑on learning, and support that improve talent attraction and retention.
NNME Southwest industry partners include global technology leaders such as Intel, TSMC, Amkor, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, Lam Research, Nikon Precision, Synopsys, Arm, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Teledyne Technologies, HRL Laboratories, and others across the semiconductor ecosystem.
“In Arizona, we’re focused on creating a pipeline of skilled talent that supports the needs of employers and grows our economy. The NNME Southwest Node builds on this momentum and further strengthens Arizona’s position as a global chip-making hub,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “We’re grateful to the Department of Commerce, National Science Foundation, and SEMI Foundation for their leadership and continued partnership in advancing the microelectronics workforce. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with our NNME Southwest consortium partners.”
“The Southwest region is helping shape the future of the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Director of the NNME. “NNME Southwest reflects the power of regional partnerships connected through a national workforce strategy. By aligning education, workforce, industry, and community partners, we can build stronger pathways into microelectronics careers and create a more coordinated talent ecosystem for the future.”
“As investment and growth across the semiconductor industry continue to accelerate, the need for skilled talent is becoming more urgent across every part of the ecosystem,” said Shari Liss, Vice President of Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI and the SEMI Foundation. “NNME Southwest represents the kind of employer-aligned, regionally driven collaboration needed to help scale workforce pathways and support the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. microelectronics industry.”
“Industry drives everything we do in Arizona, and that’s especially true with the NNME Southwest Regional Node,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Our region is home to one of the fastest‑growing and most complete semiconductor ecosystems in the country, powered by world‑class employers, educators, and workforce partners. The ACA is proud to lead this initiative and work alongside our partners across the Southwest to build a scalable, industry‑aligned workforce system that strengthens talent pipelines and supports the continued growth of America’s microelectronics leadership.”
“Building a strong semiconductor workforce starts with collaboration. Through this initiative, we are expanding access to education, hands-on training, and career pathways—ensuring more people have the opportunity to participate in and shape the future of technology,” said Navid Shahriari, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Foundry Technology & Manufacturing, Intel.
“TSMC Arizona is deeply committed to building a strong and sustainable semiconductor workforce to support our Phoenix operation producing the most advanced semiconductors on U.S. soil. Supporting our industry’s growth in Arizona requires strong collaboration between leaders of economic development, government, trade groups, and education,” said TSMC Arizona President Rose Castanares. “Establishing this new NNME Southwest Regional Node will contribute to accelerating microelectronics training and talent development across the region. We are grateful to the leadership team who made this initiative possible, ensuring a scalable workforce system for years to come.”
“Amkor’s Advanced packaging facility in Peoria will help shape the future of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, strengthen the global supply chain, and further establish Arizona and the Southwest as a leading industry hub,” said David McCann, Senior Vice President, Business Unit and ATA Project Executive, Amkor. “NNME Southwest is instrumental in developing the skilled workforce needed and will deepen collaboration across industry, academia, and government to sustain this growth. Amkor is proud to support this important effort.”
“Arizona State University is deeply committed to being of service to the state of Arizona and the nation by providing both the workforce talent and the research backbone to support the growing semiconductor industry,” said Sally Morton, executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise. “ASU’s focus on access and quality, further informed by our close work with industry partners, will help provide both the scale and scope needed to accomplish the work that will be done in the years ahead. We are happy to be part of the team that has helped bring this opportunity to Arizona and we are ready to get to work.”
“We are grateful to the SEMI Foundation for selecting Southwest NNME as one of the first four Hubs in this critical nation-wide network, focused on educating workforce for the semiconductor manufacturing industry sector,” said David Hahn, the Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering, University of Arizona. “A key contribution to the NNME’s success will be SemiSphere©, the educational content sharing platform chosen by SEMI Foundation for deployment across the network and developed at the University of Arizona with funding from the ACA. This important tool will bring together instructors and semiconductor experts from both education and industry to create and share information, best practices, and teaching materials that will benefit learners from middle school through graduate school, and make the teaching of semiconductor manufacturing technology more accessible, relevant and consistent across the country.”
“NAU is proud to support the NNME Southwest node and to advance metrology research, workforce development, and innovation across Arizona’s rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem,” said Dr. James Palmer, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Steve Sanghi College of Engineering at Northern Arizona University. “Through programs like our Bachelor of Professional Studies in Engineering Technology, we are expanding access to high-demand careers and strengthening the Southwest’s role as a national and global leader in microelectronics.”
“Preparing the next generation of engineers is essential to sustaining and growing the Southwest’s microelectronics capacity,” said Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller. “At GCU, we have built strong momentum in developing industry-aligned academic programs and hands-on training that consistently produce job-ready graduates. Our role in the NNME Southwest Node reflects both the scale and responsiveness of our model – one that is designed to meet workforce needs quickly and effectively.”
“UCLA is looking forward to contributing to NNME Southwest and coordinating the hands-on training of semiconductor manufacturing for industry readiness to community college students across the Southern California region,” said C.K. Ken Yang, Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UCLA.
“The creation of the NNME Southwest is essential to our region’s existing and unique blend of innovation, cutting-edge technology, and strong collaborative spirit among academia, industry, and government,” said Dr. Ellen Fisher, Vice President of Research at the University of New Mexico. “As we stand on the brink of a new era in microelectronics, researchers at The University of New Mexico are not only well-equipped with technology, they also possess the talent and motivation to advance the field while fostering collaborations that will empower and inspire future scientists.”
“Arizona has become one of the nation’s most important regions for semiconductor and microelectronics innovation. Partnerships like NNME Southwest are critical to ensure that our state has the skilled workforce it needs to support the industry’s continued expansion and long-term success,” said Valerie Jones, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development for Maricopa Community Colleges. “Maricopa Community Colleges is proud to help expand access to high-quality career pathways that are shaping the future of Arizona’s economy.”
“The U.S. semiconductor ecosystem is primed for growth from within, and data from the Semiconductor Industry Association places Colorado in the top 10 U.S. states for its semiconductor business ecosystem and resources,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). “Joining the NNME Southwest Regional Node will enhance our ongoing efforts to grow this critical industry while ensuring that Coloradans across the state, including rural communities, have the skills semiconductor employers need. We’re thrilled to work with our regional Southwest partners to provide real-world training and skill development opportunities that strengthen the semiconductor industry while strengthening our communities.”
“For more than 30 years, Fresh Start has helped Arizona women access the resources, support, and career opportunities needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency and build stronger futures for themselves and their families,” said Kim McWaters, President and CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. “As Arizona’s semiconductor industry continues to grow, initiatives like NNME Southwest create pathways to job skills training and meaningful careers, which lead to economic mobility for those who need it the most, transforming lives, and strengthening our workforce, economy and community in the process. We are grateful for the collaboration and excited about the opportunities created across our region.”
