Workforce
Development
Producing Day-1 ready semiconductor engineers and process technicians through industry apprenticeships, integrated degree programs, and deep partnerships with Intel and TSMC.
Arizona's semiconductor surge demands engineers trained here, ready from day one.
NAU's workforce development mission bridges the gap between the classroom and the fab floor. Through state-registered apprenticeships, ABET-accredited engineering degrees, and hands-on training across MPaCT labs, NAU prepares graduates for the roles that Intel and TSMC are actively hiring for — right now, in Arizona.
Backed by a $13 million Arizona Commerce Authority investment and Carnegie R1 research status, NAU is not just a training ground — it is the pipeline powering the state's semiconductor economy.
Direct apprenticeship pipelines with TSMC and Intel. Curriculum co-developed with industry to target real hiring needs.
600+ certified hours through MPaCT laboratory training covering lithography, metrology, vacuum systems, and semiconductor processing fundamentals.
ABET-accredited degrees, OSHA 30 certification, and metrology credentials that translate directly to $68K–$85K+ starting salaries in semiconductor roles.
The State Leading America's Chip Revolution
Since 2020
Expansions
in Arizona
Semiconductors
Semiconductor Workforce & Apprenticeship Pathways
Multiple routes from classroom to semiconductor careers — structured for students, career-changers, and industry-sponsored apprentices.
Hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing facilities under the supervision of industry mentors. Structured rotations cover fab operations, equipment maintenance, and process control.
ABET-accredited BS degrees in Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering, paired with NAU's Metrology Certificate Program and direct research access through the MPaCT Lab.
OSHA 30 certification, lab and facility protocols, chemical handling, and emergency response — all required for industry placement and embedded throughout the apprenticeship curriculum.
Core coursework covering vacuum technology, photolithography, thin-film deposition, metrology, and semiconductor device physics — designed with direct input from TSMC and Intel curriculum teams.
Process Technician Apprenticeship Program (PTAP)
A 2-year program developed in partnership with TSMC Arizona, Rio Salado College, and the City of Phoenix. Combines 600 hours of NAU coursework with 4,000 hours of on-the-job training at TSMC's North Phoenix fab.
Backed by $13 Million in State Funding and R1 Research
In 2024, the Arizona Commerce Authority allocated $13 million to NAU — part of a $100 million state commitment to semiconductor workforce development. Combined with NAU's 2025 Carnegie R1 designation, this positions the university at the center of Arizona's microelectronics pipeline.
R1 Research University
Top classification, 187 nationwide
MPaCT Research Lab
Cross-disciplinary metrology
North Valley Center
Phoenix-area training facility
$100M State Initiative
AZ semiconductor workforce commitment
"This investment is about ensuring Arizonans have the skills and training to fill the high-wage jobs being created by the semiconductor industry."— Governor Katie Hobbs, February 2024
Arizona's Semiconductor Ecosystem
NAU graduates enter a semiconductor corridor anchored by the world's leading chipmakers — all investing billions in Arizona's manufacturing future.
TSMC Arizona
Six fabs and two advanced packaging facilities planned for the North Phoenix gigafab cluster — the largest foreign direct investment in U.S. history.
Intel Arizona
Arizona hosts Intel's largest manufacturing site with 10,000+ employees, producing leading-edge processors and advanced packaging technologies.
Microchip Technology
Headquartered in Chandler. Steve Sanghi's $10M gift — the largest in NAU's 125-year history — created the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering.
SEMI
SEMI is the global industry association connecting 2,500+ member companies across the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing supply chain, driving workforce development, standards, and advocacy.
Career Outcomes & Industry Growth
NAU engineering graduates enter the workforce with competitive starting salaries in an industry growing 4× faster in Arizona than the national average.