Rep. Lloyd Doggett presents $1.5 million in congressional funding to ACC

National leaders are coming to Austin Community College District (ACC) to learn more about how the College is working to remain in the forefront of the semiconductor industry. 

On Thursday, August 29, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett visited the College to announce new $1.5 million congressional funding he secured directly to support semiconductor training at ACC. The Congressman announced the new funding at the Highland Campus in the NXP Advanced Manufacturing Lab. 

“The new landscape of higher education is going to take anyone, at any stage in their career or education development, whether they have a GED or need one, or they have a master’s degree in philosophy. Everyone’s going to need access to new skills to apply in whatever field they’re in or to be in the foundation of creating those experiences,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “The power of educators leading in our Semiconductor training is that talking about AI or chips feels intimidating. No one knows what that means. When you bring funding to a space like this and ACC, it makes sense. You learn with your hands and (you) realize I can do that. That’s the power of creating this learning environment.”

The federal funds allow ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Department to acquire new semiconductor subsystems to expand current training programs and develop new ones aligned with industry demands. This new equipment will provide hands-on learning in a setting that replicates industry conditions. Funding will also support necessary facility upgrades. 

“This does indicate the investment in workforce and in the NXP Manufacturing Lab at ACC. NXP is one of the partners that will be contributing expensive and complex equipment for students. The idea is (to) incentivize the public and private partnership — that is essential,” says Doggett. “This funding will help ACC reflect the capabilities of modern semiconductor processes and meet the industry and workforce needs. We are building capacity that is (a) vital national security application. It will put food on the table for Central Texas families and provide the opportunity for one family after another here because of getting a great ACC education.”

“The investments ACC is getting from Congressman Doggett to NXP and Samsung, and Tokyo Electronic (demonstrates) a promising way for us to work together and (for) ACC to love our Central Texas students to success,” says Dr. Lowery-Hart. “We import a lot of talent. These industry connections allow us to connect with the talent that was born and raised here, that we want to keep here and give them a path, to the life we want them to have here.”

One of the systems is Integrating Fenceless Fanuc Robot Systems. It will help ACC’s programs mirror modern semiconductor automation. Combined with the existing NXP Advanced Manufacturing Lab and potential future investments, this grant will enable ACC to meet workforce needs in this critical field.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of workforce development in the semiconductor industry,” says Dr. Laura Marmolejo, ACC dean of Advanced Manufacturing. “Our programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this rapidly changing field, and events like today’s roundtable are crucial for fostering collaboration and innovation between education and industry.”

“Additional funding such as this $1.5 million investment will help ACC to continue (to) develop the scope — the talent — our industry needs, especially here in Central Texas, and help lead the nation in semiconductor manufacturing, training, and education. We hope this raises awareness and encourages more investment in the local community, especially in the world, demanding STEM aptitude,” says Brendan Greenwood, NXP Semiconductors vice president of Operations.

According to the federal data, the semiconductor industry is projected to grow by 115,000 jobs by 2030, a 33% increase. However, almost 60% of these jobs may go unfilled at current degree completion rates. Of the unfilled jobs, 39% will be technicians with certificates or two-year degrees, 35% will be engineers or computer scientists with four-year degrees, and the rest will be graduate degrees (master’s and doctorate programs).

“Choosing ACC is giving me the opportunity to do more in the field. Having a degree gives a lot of opportunity to open many doors to many places,” says Julio Gutierrez, ACC Bachelor of Applied Technology in Manufacturing Engineering Technology Student. “Currently, I’m looking for a technical position. Semiconductors are a very skilled trade. There’s a lot to go through and there (are) a lot of computers, troubleshooting, and wiring. It’s very technical. I am learning all of that in my program and using it in my job at NXP.”

The College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program offers multiple pathways for students. Beginning with the Certified Production Technician (CPT) program, which can be completed in just two months. Students can stack those credits toward their associate degree and again toward the College’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree program. ACC partners with several industry partners, allowing students to work and learn simultaneously.

“No matter what your degrees are, you get the skills that allow you to navigate, this new world that we don’t even, fully understand yet. One of the beauties of the program and having the partnerships is also recognizing that it does,” says Dr. Lowery-Hart.

For more information on ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing programs, visit austincc.edu/manufacturing.

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