TSMC Introduces Apprenticeship Program to Mitigate Labor Crisis in U.S. Factories

According to media reports, the U.S. chip industry's allure has manufacturers vying to set up operations, but the local talent shortage poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, TSMC, in collaboration with local governments and related institutions, has launched an apprenticeship program aimed at training the necessary workforce to meet its factory setup demands.

The reports highlight that TSMC's two wafer fabs in Arizona, USA, are in need of talent recruitment. The company believes that an apprenticeship program is key to supporting labor demands. At a recent panel discussion hosted by the National Institute of Innovation and Technology (NIIT), Greg Jackson, the equipment operations manager at TSMC's Phoenix, Arizona factory, stated that the company needs to directly hire 4,500 technicians, engineers, managers, and other employees.

Jackson mentioned that there are two ways to recruit these individuals: hire experienced professionals, which is limited by availability, or cultivate talent, which is their goal. Apprenticeships pave the way for people to secure high-paying jobs in advanced technology facilities. He noted that providing people with the skills and work experience needed for permanent positions takes time, especially since these jobs require unique skills that cannot be learned overnight.

TSMC recently announced an apprenticeship program in the Phoenix area to train facility technicians, offering 2,000 hours of on-the-job training across four critical technical areas: water treatment, gases and chemicals, electrical, and mechanical. The curriculum is provided by TSMC’s technical training partner, Maricopa Community Colleges.

Mentorship is a crucial part of the process, with each apprentice having a mentor for one-on-one guidance. Based on its recruitment needs over the next few years, TSMC considers technicians a key training focus.