Samsung introduces workforce development plan
Samsung Austin Semiconductor is announcing a new 5-star workforce development plan.
The plan will develop a talent pipeline for the company’s $17 billion advanced semiconductor fabrication facility under construction in Taylor in Williamson County, Texas and its Austin fabrication facility which has been in operation for more than 27 years. This 5-star workforce development plan focuses on five key areas that Samsung Austin Semiconductor believes can grow and adapt to support the long-term requirements for a semiconductor talent pipeline, especially in Texas. The five key points are:
1. K-12 Schools: Partner with local school districts to invest in STEM education and programs that encourage young students to be engaged in STEM learning, with a priority focus on Taylor and Manor school districts.
2. Two-year Technical/Trade Schools: Partnerships and initiatives with two-year technical and trade schools to educate, train, recruit, hire and retain technicians and skilled individuals.
3. Four-year Colleges: Partnerships and initiatives with four-year institutions to increase participation in engineering programs and promote semiconductor research and curriculum to expand the semiconductor STEM pipeline, while reducing barriers to underrepresented communities.
4. Community Partners: Community-based initiatives to grow the STEM pipeline, with an emphasis on increasing participation from women and underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities.
5. Military: Extend our work with veteran organizations and Texas-based military personnel transitioning to civilian life seeking employment in Central Texas.
“What makes Samsung Austin Semiconductor one of the best companies in the world is our people,” Bonyoung Koo, president of Samsung Austin Semiconductor, said. “However, we recognize that as part of our commitment to our community, we need to enhance our workforce development efforts.” Samsung Austin Semiconductor currently employs 4,500 people at the Austin site with an additional 9,935 workforce which includes vendors, partners and consultants.
The new Taylor site will kick off with an addition of 2,000 employees. According to a recent report from Semiconductor Industry Association, semiconductor companies across the nation have announced more than 44,000 new expected jobs since the introduction of the CHIPS and Science Act. Samsung believes that with its existing and new workforce partnerships, these projects will help close the talent gap that is critical to the success of the semiconductor industry in the U.S. The 5-star workforce development plan will help bolster the talent pipeline and provide career pathways to more individuals, starting from grade-school children all the way to the collegiate level.
The workforce deficit cannot be addressed by Samsung Austin Semiconductor alone. It will take a unified approach involving all stakeholders in the five key areas listed above. By providing paid high school internships with Taylor Independent School District and implementing mentorship programs with Manor Independent School District, Samsung Austin Semiconductor is providing career pathways for young students. Samsung Austin Semiconductor is also working with workforce organizations, such as Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, to help recruit talent and develop training programs tailored to manufacturing careers.
“With the growth of manufacturing in our region, there is a demand for skilled workers. Whether it’s through our Educator Externship program or hiring fairs, we will continue to find opportunities where we can uplevel our workforce to make sure businesses and employees in our area are successful,” Tamara Atkinson, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. With the addition of the new Taylor plant, being able to recruit from the entire MSA is invaluable.
“We serve nine counties in Central Texas and our focus is to create value for employers, individuals, and communities, by directing them to our outstanding child care services, training providers, and workforce partners, to foster opportunities to achieve and sustain economic prosperity,” added Paul Fletcher, president, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.
“As a large employer in the area, we train students to try to get them jobs as they graduate,” director of Skillpoint Alliance, Kevin Brackmeyer, said. “Samsung Austin Semiconductor is one of those companies that comes in and meets with our students and provides support for our technical programs.”
At Austin Community College, the school’s IMPACT lab is training students for manufacturing jobs. “Manufacturing is advancing and building new technologies. Workers aren’t sitting on an assembly line, but designing, building, and maintaining cutting edge machines, like robots and advanced automation,” Laura Marmolejo, ACC department chair for Manufacturing, said. “We are building direct paths for students to train and get the skills needed to meet the growing demands of these high-paying careers in Central Texas’ manufacturing workforce.”
In the last half of 2023, Samsung Austin Semiconductor will be making several high-level announcements to advance the 5-Star development plan. As an employer and member of the Central Texas community for nearly three decades, Samsung Austin Semiconductor is confident this initiative is the next step in providing shared value to its local community.
