ACC gets cash boost for semiconductor projects and UT facility backlog.

Austin Community College (ACC) has received a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Defense Department to expand its semiconductor workforce training programs. The funds were distributed by The University of Texas (UT) and its Texas Institute for Electronics, one of 18 academic partners in a consortium supported by UT and the Texas Legislature. The grant originates from an $840 million award given to UT and the institute by DARPA, a federal group investing in tech for national security.

ACC is fantastic, having them in our backyard to be able to support this. Alyssa Reinhart, Texas Institute for Electronics

The grant recognizes ACC's leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and its established connections with industry partners. ACC will use the funds to expand its programs, training workers for new facilities and equipment, and supporting UT's research endeavors.

Laura Marmolejo, ACC's dean of advanced manufacturing, highlighted the collaborative nature of the grant, calling it a "national model" for meeting industry needs. The partnership between UT, ACC, and the institute is a response to the semiconductor industry's demand for qualified workers. By expanding local manufacturing, Marmolejo said, the risk of relying on international production for beloved gadgets is reduced, offering great career pathways.

ACC has been at the forefront of semiconductor training, with a curriculum designed to train workers as they work, and its efforts have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo. This grant further solidifies ACC's role in addressing the rising chip demand required for national security and technological advancements.

Original article URLs:

• https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/about-darpa
• https://sites.austincc.edu/semiconductor-manufacturing/semiconductor-technician-advanced-rapid-start-program-matrix/