(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Williamson County campus has received a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant totaling more than $3 million.
The funding will be used for the development of the Accelerated Semiconductor Technician Training Program and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology – Semiconductor program debuting in fall 2026 at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto. Eventually the program will be moved to the on-campus Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence scheduled to open in spring 2027.
“It is crucial to us because of the expansion of Samsung in Taylor and the growth,” said Kelly Coke, provost of TSTC’s Williamson County campus. “Without it (the grant), we would not be able to meet any of the job demands in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing field.”
Roger Snow, TSTC’s dean of manufacturing, said the new equipment will mirror the types used in a semiconductor manufacturing facility.
“It (the grant) gives us further endorsement from the state that recognizes the value of our training for this program,” he said.
Snow said an advisory group made up of semiconductor industry partners has been created to help build the curriculum.
Kwee Lan Teo, head of workforce development at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, said public/private partnerships create viable career pathways for students.
According to the Opportunity Austin Regional Partnership, there are more than 170 semiconductor-related industries in the Austin area. These companies employ about 60,000 people.
According to the Semiconductor Industry Association’s 2024 State of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry, the United States had in 2023 about 338,000 people working in device and machinery manufacturing, chip design and electronic design automation, all tied to semiconductors.
The organization’s study predicted more than 114,000 jobs will be added nationwide by 2030, but there is a risk of a 67,000-employee shortfall in the semiconductor design and manufacturing field in the same period. This includes about 26,400 technicians.
Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.