MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 20, 2026 — The SEMI Foundation announced it has been officially approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) as a National Apprenticeship Sponsor, a major milestone that strengthens industry-led workforce development and expands access to high-quality, earn-and-learn pathways across the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.
This designation aligns with the Administration’s broader America’s talent and workforce strategy, which emphasizes registered apprenticeships as a critical tool for building a resilient, competitive and skilled workforce in strategic industries. As a national sponsor, the SEMI Foundation will work directly with employers to design, register and scale apprenticeship programs that meet evolving industry needs while providing workers with clear, high-value career pathways.
“Apprenticeships are a proven way to connect talent to opportunity while meeting real employer demand,” said Michelle Williams, executive director of the SEMI Foundation. “Becoming a national apprenticeship sponsor allows us to move faster, scale smarter and support companies across the semiconductor supply chain as they build the workforce they need to compete globally.”
A strategic advantage for SEMI nember companies
The SEMI Foundation is the nonprofit arm of SEMI, the industry association serving the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. As part of the Foundation’s new role, SEMI member companies will receive priority access to apprenticeship sponsorship, technical assistance and program development support. Over time, the Foundation will expand access to additional employers across the ecosystem, ensuring alignment, quality and consistency at scale.
Through the national sponsorship model, the SEMI Foundation will:
- Reduce administrative and regulatory barriers for employers launching apprenticeships
- Support standardized, industry-aligned apprenticeship frameworks
- Enable faster deployment across multiple states and regions
- Ensure programs meet federal quality standards while remaining employer-driven
Connecting apprenticeship to a National Workforce Strategy
The SEMI Foundation’s apprenticeship sponsorship will be closely coordinated with the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), a national initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by the Foundation to strengthen semiconductor education and workforce development through regional collaboration.
Through NNME Regional Nodes, apprenticeship programs will be aligned with local and regional employer demand, education and training providers, workforce boards and economic development organizations. This integrated approach ensures apprenticeships are not standalone programs, but part of a connected, scalable national talent system that supports students, workers and employers at every stage.
“Registered apprenticeships are a cornerstone of a modern workforce system,” said Mike Glavin, Director of Workforce Development at the SEMI Foundation. “By embedding apprenticeships into our national and regional strategies, we’re creating pathways that are both locally responsive and nationally aligned.”
What’s next
The SEMI Foundation will host a series of informational webinars and peer-to-peer employer conversations in the coming months to help companies understand how to participate, design programs and leverage apprenticeship as a long-term workforce solution. Additional details, including program eligibility, timelines and engagement opportunities, will be announced soon.
About the SEMI Foundation
The SEMI Foundation’s mission is to support economic opportunity for workers and the sustained growth of the microelectronics industry through creating pathways and opportunities for job seekers and tools and systems for semiconductor companies to attract, develop, retain and advance a diverse and skilled workforce.
About SEMI
SEMI is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics.