The Lead.

As the semiconductor industry experiences significant growth in Ohio, Marion Technical College unveiled new programs and career pathways designed to fast-track workers needed for the industry.

“Intel will be hiring and we are working to make sure they have the skilled workforce ready to go. We want local students to be ready to enter these well-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Technical College.

Courses available to Marion Tech students range from rapid micro-certificates to noncredit offerings to engineering certificates and degrees. A one-year semiconductor manufacturing certificate and degree are also in development.

Intel is expected to hire 3,000 workers for the factories in central Ohio, including more than 2,000 technicians, more than 700 engineers, and up to 150 support workers. Hundreds of additional jobs are expected to come online as regional semiconductor suppliers ramp up hiring.

“Community colleges are at the forefront of the push for new technical certificates and degrees needed to provide the semiconductor sector with workplace-ready employees,” said Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. “We’re proud to have met the challenge in such a short period of time to create the educational content for workers for Intel hiring to begin.”

Included among the collaboration network’s goals for hiring are attracting women, underrepresented minorities, veterans, and military families to jobs in the semiconductor field. Special educational grants are available to help adults enter these fields, including some exclusively for adults who have been in the foster care system. Applications and details are available on mtc.edu.

Marion Tech is among the first community colleges to offer these classes. Courses for the degree programs were developed by the Ohio Association of Community College’s Semiconductor Collaboration Network thanks to a grant from Intel to create a jobs pipeline for the semiconductor industry and the ecosystem that surrounds the industry. These initiatives are aimed at equipping Ohioans with the essential skills and knowledge required to help prepare individuals for diverse roles within the semiconductor industry. 

Intel charged the collaboration network in September 2022 with adding semiconductor-specific courses and equipment to existing engineering technology and advanced manufacturing programs; addressing the demands of the semiconductor industry; and helping to ensure a prosperous future for the state's workforce in the broader field of advanced technology and innovation.

To meet the challenge, the collaboration network tapped a statewide team of community college faculty experts to develop the course curriculums including Dr. Feng Hua, Associate Professor of Engineering Technologies, at Marion Technical College. The resulting blueprint for semiconductor industry education will be provided at no cost to local Technical Centers, Career Centers, and school districts, allowing them to offer and align the courses with their College Credit Plus classes.

Students entering Marion Tech can earn micro-credentials and one-year certificates for becoming an entry-level technician. Those looking to become midlevel technicians will need an associate’s degree. Marion Tech has multiple transfer partners for those looking to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Courses available for credential seekers specific to the semiconductor industry include “Intro to Vacuum Systems” and “Semiconductor 101.” The committee responsible for creating the new curriculum also updated an existing “Intro to Manufacturing” that is available for all community colleges. 

Marion Tech is also pursuing funding to purchase trainers to support the new "Intro to Vacuum Systems" course, provided by Lt. Governor Husted and the Office of Workforce Transformation, The Ohio Department of Higher Education and The Ohio Association of Community Colleges.

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