Semiconductor manufacturing and chip design at UIC

Illinois Semiconductor Workforce Network

Increasing semiconductor manufacturing in the United States will require a skilled workforce. In September 2024, the U.S. Commerce Department funded seven institutions supporting efforts to develop the semiconductor workforce ecosystem across more than a dozen U.S. states.

The newly-established Illinois Semiconductor Workforce Network (ISWN) will use anticipated funding to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the U.S. semiconductor industry, developing a diverse, highly skilled workforce through industry-aligned training programs. The ISWN is led by The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and UIC is a key member of the network

By collaborating with semiconductor ecosystem partners, ISWN will equip students with cutting-edge skills and career opportunities, strengthening America's technological future in this crucial sector. UIC’s College of Engineering is participating in this statewide effort along with other universities, community colleges and electronics companies committed to training students in this fast-growing industry.

Summer training program

The Semiconductor Fabrication Training Program will provide experiential learning for community college students in cleanroom semiconductor manufacturing and operations and grow the talent pipeline of engineers at the undergraduate level, who are trained in industry-standard hardware and software tools.

Instructional topics: include introduction to microelectronics, semiconductor devices, vacuum technology, chemical safety in a cleanroom, and frontiers of semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Program details: The program will be held May 27 to June 23, 2025, on both the UIC and UIUC campuses. The program includes a $3,000 stipend, room and board if needed, industry and faculty mentoring, and a certificate of completion will be given. Application deadline is March 26, 2025.

Industry-centered curriculum

Through the ISWN, UIC will be implementing industry-aligned, hands-on semiconductor curricula at the undergraduate level to grow the pipeline for engineers vital to the semiconductor industry and critical to the future economy. Stay tuned for details.

Hands-on fabrication

Learn how to fabricate micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS) with your fellow students. These critical skills are used in making integrated circuits, including microprocessors and memory chips.

More information will be coming soon.

ISWN news

Workforce development for CHIPS

UIC is part of the Illinois Semiconductor Workforce Network (ISWN) which was selected for an award from Workforce Partner Alliance (WFPA) program from National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) enabled by the CHIPS and Science Act. UIC PIs involved in this award are Dr. Igor Paprotny, Dr. Aritra Banerjee, Dr. Debjit Pal, Dr. Junxia Lucy Shi, and Dr. Carmen Lilley.

The ECE department is aligning its curriculum to meet the needs of this growing industry and provide students with the tools for success in a career in semiconductors.

The CHIPS Act also aims to broaden participation in semiconductor manufacturing. The Act authorizes funding to build the capacity of minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, and tribal colleges to successfully compete for and administer NSF grants and contains monies to study and implement approaches to attracting and retaining students from diverse backgrounds and institutions in STEM research fields.