As Chip Demand Surges GlobalFoundries Actively Seeks Semiconductor Talent

Coin World reports:
As talent competition intensifies and funds from the “Chips for America Act” continue to be dispersed to stimulate domestic production, the semiconductor industry is recruiting workers in a tight labor market. With generative artificial intelligence adding fuel to the demand for industries, it is estimated that the overall U.S. economy will be short of as many as 1 million workers by 2030. According to a 2023 study by the Semiconductor Industry Association, the U.S. chip industry is expected to face a shortage of 67,000 technicians, computer scientists, and engineers by 2030, while the entire U.S. economy will face a shortage of 1.4 million workers of this kind. Another study by Deloitte found that the talent shortage in the semiconductor field may worsen due to the global economic environment and ongoing supply chain issues.
The world’s third-largest chip manufacturer, GlobalFoundries, is casting a wide net in recruiting talent. The company has sought senior candidates from its own labor re-employment program and an initiative aimed at women in the construction industry. The company manufactures chips for everyday products ranging from electronics, phones, and cars to space and defense components. Its major clients include General Motors and Lockheed Martin. In 2021, the company launched the industry’s first registered apprenticeship program, which is full-time, with benefits and free training for apprentices. It can be completed in two years or less, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent and an interest in the mechanical field. The company has stated that about 50 apprentices have participated in the program so far. It has recruited graduates from technical associate degree programs at regional community colleges and veterans to join the program. Pradhepa Raman, Chief Human Resources Officer of GlobalFoundries, stated in an interview with CNBC that the company is working to fill hundreds of positions globally at once, recruiting thousands of people annually, and expects this pace to continue. Raman stated that maintaining the same scale of workforce is “not an option” for the industry as demand surges. The range of demand extends from technicians to product managers and corporate roles. Raman said, “That’s why we are very aggressive in workforce development.” “If you don’t get the traditional talent, [the solution is] cross-train talent, identify a pool of alternate talent, people working in different fields, and show them that there is a whole range of very popular opportunities in the semiconductor industry, this is our approach.”
There is also room for promotion for workers. In this competitive environment, training and retaining existing workers are key. Morgan Woods, 28, started as a technician at GlobalFoundries’ fab in Malta, New York, in 2021. Woods now serves as a training and development analyst for the company, overseeing the training of technicians, engineers, and management, and ensuring compliance. Woods stated that compliance is crucial as the company expands into the automotive field through collaboration with General Motors. Woods said, “With the increase in demand for microchips, we definitely need more manpower to help support the continuous roll-out of microchips and achieve our daily goals.” Woods has taken advantage of a benefit launched by GlobalFoundries in May, allowing eligible U.S. employees and new hires to receive a tax-free lifetime total of $28,500 in student debt. It includes all types of eligible loans from U.S. universities and colleges and credit-based certificate programs. The company stated that the number of applicants has exceeded 200, surpassing expectations. Woods said, “By participating in this program, I will have a better financial situation to buy a house in the next few years and consider expanding my family and having children.” In addition to helping in the fields of engineering and computer science, the funds from the “Chips for America Act” will also promote the growth of GlobalFoundries’ manufacturing plants in New York and Vermont. In February, the company announced plans to provide $1.5 billion in funding for chip manufacturing, with expectations that this funding, along with local and state government funds, will help create approximately 1,500 manufacturing jobs and 9,000 construction jobs over the entire project lifecycle. The manufacturing and construction industries have also recently faced worker shortages, aimed at attracting new and young workers into the field. Raman said, “We believe that the challenges we face in recruiting can be addressed through an ecosystem approach to workforce development, and by offering benefits that make our organization one of the best places to work.”
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