Austin Community College District

Austin Community College is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution that educates more than 40,000 degree-seeking students across a 7,000-square-mile service area in Central Texas. This project – titled STARS Training Program (Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start) – will allow the college to launch an affordable, short-term, high-quality training program that will prepare students for entry-level employment as semiconductor manufacturing equipment maintenance and repair technicians. These individuals are in high demand to support the advanced equipment that powers Texas’ semiconductor manufacturing industry.  

This rapid training program will be the only one of its kind in Central Texas and one of few nationwide. Project partners include the regional manufacturers association, which will help recruit employers and students to the program, and workforce development boards, which will help students identify ways to pay program tuition and obtain wraparound support such as childcare. At least two employers will sponsor competitive apprenticeships that offer paid training through the approximately one year of instruction.