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DALLAS () – Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub leaders at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ hosted a discussion focused on workforce development, education and commercialization for the semiconductor industry with officials from the American Institute in Taiwan and the U.S. Commercial Service, identifying ways the entities can collaborate in the future.

The ¾«¶«´«Ã½-led Texoma Tech Hub, which has grown from 41 to 70 consortium members of geographically connected public, private and academic partners, seeks to drive innovation in semiconductor manufacturing and secure supply chains throughout 29 counties in North Texas and southern Oklahoma. The demand for semiconductors – the tiny chips that enable modern-day electronics, from drones to vehicles to smart devices – continues to skyrocket and outpace manufacturing.

As North Texas has rapidly developed into a major technology center, the Taiwanese semiconductor industry seeks opportunities in the region for possible expansion into the U.S., particularly in the AI and data center as well as semiconductor manufacturing sectors. Officials discussed how the Tech Hub partners with its members to address challenges of workforce development and training.

"The Dallas-Fort Worth area is experiencing unprecedented growth, which requires strategic support," said Suku Nair, ¾«¶«´«Ã½'s Vice Provost for Research and Chief Innovation Officer. "To fuel this expansion, we need a larger, highly skilled workforce. We're committed to collaborating with a diverse range of institutions to develop innovative solutions and create opportunities for all stakeholders to contribute to the region's economic growth."

The Semiconductor Industry Association forecasts a shortage of approximately 67,000 technicians, electrical and computer scientists and engineers working in the semiconductor industry by 2030. To help address the shortage, the Tech Hub’s Workforce Development Councils promote opportunities at multiple skill levels for students and adult learners to enter the workforce, acquire new knowledge and obtain advanced degrees and certifications while minimizing the time it takes to do so. The outreach begins at the K-12 level while adult learners can find a pathway to advance their careers in the semiconductor industry.

“The Taiwan semiconductor industry is in a mode to expand, and Taiwan’s leadership is encouraging them to invest in America,” said Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. “North Texas is a popular choice because of the technical expertise here. The Tech Hub can offer great insights on how to address the gaps in workforce needs.”

At ¾«¶«´«Ã½, the emphasis on high-performance computing, AI and digital twins has impacted efforts on research and training, said Scott Douglas, associate vice provost for research and professor of electrical and computer engineering. For example, students can virtually experience cleanrooms and learn to use machines in a low-risk digital environment before ever touching them. And augmented and virtual reality capabilities within the classroom allow students to expand learning beyond the walls of the University.

Throughout the region, innovative Fablets™ – or accessible, cost-effective versions of cleanrooms – provide a portable lab for getting more students interested in semiconductor manufacturing careers. They offer smaller, isolated clean areas with equipment for electronic design, wafer fabrication, device manufacturing, packaging and testing.

“We want to break down barriers and plant the seeds for more middle school and high school students to consider semiconductor manufacturing,” Douglas said. “Engineering is one entry point, but there are many career paths in semiconductor manufacturing. This is another way to get them engaged.”

The group also explored strategies to establish an ecosystem in North Texas and southern Oklahoma that fosters startups and entrepreneurship within the semiconductor supply chain, including heterogeneous packaging and printed circuit boards. As part of this effort, Tech Hub has been collaborating with the Choctaw Nation to develop prototyping and development capabilities for circuit boards. Additionally, Taiwanese companies are interested in learning more about how Tech Hub works with individual cities and their Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) to attract new businesses to the Texoma region.

Others participating in the event included:

• Elizabeth Shieh, Commercial Section Chief, Department of Commerce, AIT
• Jason Chang, Commercial Specialist, Department of Commerce, AIT
• Jessica Cheeks-Thompson, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Dallas-Fort Worth
• Kenneth Haynes, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Dallas-Fort Worth
• Frantz Eyssallenne, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Dallas-Fort Worth
• Jigna Mehta, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Dallas-Fort Worth
• Clayton Huber, Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute
• Pritiben Patel, Senior Economic Development Manager, North Central Texas Economic Development District
• James Grimsley, Regional Innovation Officer, Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub
• J.-C. Chiao, Templeton Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, ¾«¶«´«Ã½; Lead, Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub