Sec. 2. Findings

275 words·~1 min read·/bill/117/hr/8251/ih/section-2

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Congress finds the following: While microelectronics are a primary driver of economic growth and scientific advancement, the United States has lost much of its capacity to design and manufacture, test, and package microelectronics and microelectronics systems domestically. Current educational and vocational training opportunities are insufficient to meet the domestic microelectronics industry workforce needs. The deficit between open jobs and qualified workers is projected to grow as design and manufacturing activities increase.

Growth in microelectronics design and manufacturing capabilities may be limited by a lack of qualified workers. The United States education pathways for microelectronics faces significant challenges, from a lack of gender and racial diversity to an inability of universities and community colleges to attract and retain faculty and other instructors qualified to teach microelectronics. Students often fail to get the hands-on training they need to succeed in microelectronics careers, especially at the community or technical college level.

Skilled technical jobs in the manufacturing industry and in the microelectronics design industry are well-suited for apprenticeship and other paid training models, however prospective participants must have adequate STEM training. The microelectronics industry suffers from a lack of awareness and visibility as pre-college students, students pursuing STEM degrees, technical workers, and doctorate-level researchers seek employment in other industries. Lack of access to co-located design and fabrication facilities, including attendant software licensing issues is a deterrent for United States competitiveness and workforce development.

In order to help drive forward advances in microelectronics and increase domestic microelectronics design and manufacturing capability, the Federal Government must provide sufficient resources and use its convening power to facilitate the growth of microelectronics talent in academia, the Federal Government, and the microelectronics industry.