The semiconductor industry continues to grow at an unprecedented pace and so does the demand for highly skilled employees at all levels in the industry. With the focus on reshoring manufacturing in the United States, we are increasingly faced with two questions: 1) how to identify talent that is ready to work today with the skills and experience that they already have and 2) how to best prepare a workforce for tomorrow, to meet the estimated shortage of 59,000-146,000 technicians and engineers by 2029. The SEMI Foundation – the workforce development arm of SEMI – provides solutions to address the talent gap and more through programs such as SEMI Credentialing. This innovative effort that helps employers identify talent, jobseekers communicate their work readiness, and training and education providers align their programs to industry needs.SEMI Equipment Maintenance Technician CertificationIndustry subject matter experts who provided initial inputs for the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) of an Equipment Maintenance Technician.The SEMI Foundation is building out the first nationally accredited, industry-recognized Equipment Maintenance Technician Certification. In collaboration with industry leaders like Micron, GlobalFoundries, Intel, Western Digital, TEL, Onto Innovation, and others, we have identified the key competencies for equipment maintenance technicians. Individuals from 45 companies across 16 states have provided technical subject matter expertise, resulting in one of the most regionally diverse and comprehensive certification offerings to date. Our partner, NOCTI, an ISO-certified credentialing provider, is in the final stages of developing the certification exam. Our two-part certification exam includes 100 multiple choice questions that assess a candidate’s knowledge of safety, quality, electrical and mechanical principles, maintenance principles, and semiconductor industry awareness, as well as a hands-on electrical and pneumatic skills-based performance task. Educators from 12 community colleges and universities across the United States developed the questions, ensuring the highest academic standards and rigor. This certification will allow job seekers to demonstrate their readiness and create clear pathways into technician roles for qualified individuals regardless of their previous training. Furthermore, the Equipment Maintenance Technician certification will establish a national source of truth for curriculum alignment made available to training providers and educators and ensure relevance and continuity through routine industry review. The SEMI Equipment Maintenance Technician Certification will launch regionally in Spring 2026. National roll-out is scheduled for Fall 2026, and we encourage training and industry partners to connect with us directly to ensure early access to the certification.SEMI Endorsement of Programs and CoursesPartners from 12 community colleges and universities provided their expertise in developing test questions for the SEMI Certification.The SEMI Foundation is endorsing programs that prepare entry-level workers for success in the semiconductor industry. Since 2024, we have endorsed programs at Austin Community College, Foothill College, NY Creates, and WGNStar. These programs, and others like it, are emblematic of what strong partnerships between academia and industry can look like. Learners seeking programs can look to these as options for their education. Receiving SEMI Endorsement for Programs and Courses conveys that: Learners who are new to the semiconductor industry and successfully complete the program will be well-prepared for entry-level roles; Program completers have had exposure to fundamental semiconductor industry information and context, as well as introductory hands-on experience; Completers of these programs have the specific knowledge and skills required for entry level positions; andProgrammatic design and content have been informed through input and feedback from local industry partners.As we continue to expand the portfolio of programs and courses that the SEMI Foundation endorses, we are looking increasingly at programs with strong industry alignment and clear pathways for learners once they complete their training, be that apprenticeships, additional training, or direct access into the workforce.Microcredentials and MoreThe SEMI Foundation is a leader in convening stakeholders across academia and industry in support of workforce development initiatives. This unique ability to bring together diverse perspectives positions us to play a central role in shaping the future of skill validation. Microcredentials address several key changes and trends in training, including the rising costs of education coupled with an increased appetite for hands-on learning opportunities. Microcredentials are stackable, adaptable, and aligned directly with workforce demands. Learners can build competencies step-by-step. Employers can identify specific skill sets with greater precision. Education providers can modernize programs to reflect emerging technologies and evolving roles. We are forming panels and committees to explore the idea of microcredentials, as our partners are looking to us for innovative ways to recognize short-form training programs, amplify opportunities for individuals in up-and-coming regions, and continue to connect our partners in service of workforce solutions. In addition, the SEMI Foundation is exploring the provision of badges to teachers, career counselors, and other educators to demonstrate their knowledge and awareness of semiconductor careers.As we continue to drive solutions and add value to the world of credentials, we look forward to ongoing conversation and collaboration with partners. Every conversation we engage in about credentialing strengthens our offering and ability to provide solutions to the semiconductor industry’s growing workforce demands. Anissa Hamdon-Morison is Manager, Curriculum Developer Training at the SEMI Foundation
