Fueling the Silicon Heartland with microelectronics training

As Intel builds the world’s most advanced semiconductor chip-making facilities in Ohio, the supply chain needs for the semiconductor and microelectronics industries are expected to increase exponentially in Ohio. And along with that increase will come high-wage job opportunities for our community. 

LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., has one simple response to this expected need. 

“We are ready.” 

For more than a decade, LCCC has been at the forefront of microelectronics training and education. By becoming the first community college to deliver certificate, associate and applied bachelor’s degree programs in microelectronic manufacturing (MEMS), LCCC has built a solid foundation to prepare the workforce that will fuel the supply chain needed for Intel. 

In all, LCCC collaborates with more than 80 employers in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry across the region, including Earn and Learn partners. The impact of these connections extends across the state and the country. LCCC has developed deep collaborations at the national level through the Manufacturing USA network, including the U.S. Department of Defense, The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute and NextFlex. Most recently, LCCC was named by Intel as the lead institution in the Ohio TechNet Northeast Ohio Semiconductor Workforce Consortium, a collaboration of 10 Ohio TechNet colleges and universities partnering with one goal in mind – build a talented workforce to meet industry demand.

“These collaborations will benefit Northeast Ohio and the entire Midwest for generations as the semiconductor industry continues to take root,” Ballinger said.

“It’s not just about one company coming to Ohio; it’s an entire industry that’s embedding itself in Ohio, creating the Silicon Heartland. This landmark investment will create a wave of economic opportunity across the state, increasing the demand for a highly skilled workforce. We, along with our partners, are ready to fuel its creation.”

The workforce pipeline needed by Intel and its supply chain includes manufacturing jobs that rely on smart manufacturing, robotics and industry 4.0. LCCC is preparing this workforce with the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Smart Industrial Automated Systems Engineering Technology. This cutting-edge automation degree trains graduates to operate and repair the smart industrial equipment needed most by today’s manufacturers.