National Network for Microelectronics Education forms inaugural Industry Advisory Committee

The National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), a national workforce development initiative supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has announced the formation of its first Industry Advisory Committee. The committee brings together senior leaders from the semiconductor industry, universities, and community colleges to help guide NNME's national workforce strategy and strengthen the talent pipeline supporting America's growing microelectronics sector.

Funded through an NSF Other Transaction Authority (OTA) award, NNME benefits from ongoing technical collaboration and strategic guidance from NSF to help speed up the development of workforce solutions addressing the country's critical microelectronics talent needs. The SEMI Foundation serves as the Hub Operator for NNME and functions as the workforce development arm of SEMI, the broader semiconductor industry association.

Representing semiconductor manufacturers, technology companies, equipment and materials suppliers, universities, community colleges, and workforce development leaders, the Industry Advisory Committee will provide strategic guidance as NNME works to align its efforts with industry needs across the country. The announcement comes as the U.S. sees unprecedented investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, alongside growing demand for a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting innovation, advanced manufacturing, and long-term economic competitiveness. A national workforce landscape analysis conducted by McKinsey & Company found that the U.S. semiconductor industry could face a talent gap of roughly 127,000 to 157,000 workers by 2030, underscoring the urgency of building a coordinated, industry-aligned workforce development system.

Dr. Jennifer Ellis, director of the National Network for Microelectronics Education, said building the workforce needed to support the future of microelectronics requires sustained collaboration across industry, education, and workforce partners. She said the expertise represented on the committee reflects the depth of commitment across the semiconductor ecosystem, and that their guidance will help ensure NNME stays closely aligned with industry needs while strengthening pathways into high-demand careers.

Through ongoing collaboration, the committee will help identify emerging workforce challenges, validate what employers actually need from the workforce, inform education and training strategies, strengthen connections across the broader semiconductor ecosystem, and provide strategic input on national workforce initiatives.

Shari Liss, vice president of global workforce development and initiatives at SEMI, said the challenges and opportunities facing the semiconductor workforce are larger than any single organization can address alone. She said the Industry Advisory Committee brings together leaders who understand both the technical and workforce dimensions of the industry, and that their combined expertise will help strengthen national collaboration and ensure the country is preparing the workforce needed for the next generation of semiconductor innovation.

Collectively, committee members offer a broad perspective on the evolving workforce needs of the U.S. microelectronics ecosystem, and NNME says it will continue expanding membership to ensure broad representation across the national microelectronics industry.


Michelle Williams, executive director of the SEMI Foundation, said the ability of the U.S. to compete globally depends on developing a workforce that can keep pace with innovation across the semiconductor ecosystem. She described the Industry Advisory Committee as an extraordinary group of leaders committed to shaping workforce solutions that are scalable, informed by industry needs, and built for long-term impact, adding that their guidance will help ensure NNME continues creating meaningful opportunities for learners while supporting the broader needs of the ecosystem.

Established to strengthen the nation's microelectronics workforce, NNME is building a coordinated national network connecting employers, education providers, workforce organizations, and regional partners to develop talent pathways aligned with industry needs. Through its Regional Nodes and other national initiatives, NNME aims to create a more connected and responsive workforce ecosystem capable of supporting continued semiconductor growth across the United States.