ACC receives $7.5 million grant for semiconductor training
Austin Community College District (ACC) has been recognized yet again for its advanced work in the semiconductor manufacturing sector with a new U.S. Department of Defense grant.
The College received $7.5 million from a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant.
The grant was awarded to ACC’s partners in the Semiconductor Training Center, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), and the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE). UT and TIE distributed funds to partners in the program–– ultimately giving ACC funds to expand existing training programs and develop new ones to support their work.
The College–– the only community college out of 18 partnering academic institutions–– was selected for its robust suite of course offerings and advanced training in semiconductor manufacturing. This brings the total funds UT and TIE have awarded ACC to $11.25 million.
“I’m immensely proud of the work happening at ACC to support the semiconductor industry in our community. Our education and training programs are directly connecting students with employers. It’s an honor to know that UT and TIE entrust ACC with these funds to continue building on our curriculum,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “The work that is happening is helping ensure our training aligns directly to the workforce needs here in Central Texas.”
As part of the ongoing partnership, ACC will deliver its nationally recognized semiconductor workforce training programs to support the work of the DARPA grant. In fall 2023, the College developed the Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start (STARS) curriculum. The program is a pathway to allow students to work and also obtain college credit simultaneously. This model serves as a potential bridge for incumbent workers with foundational technical skills to advance into cutting edge manufacturing technician roles. ACC has made this advanced training program curriculum available as an open educational resource for other colleges to replicate.
