Wolfspeed signs first apprentice for
Registered Apprenticeship Program to support workforce development
for its Mohawk Valley Fab
HANOVER,
Md., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the
National Institute for Innovation and Technology and the United
States Department of Labor (USDOL) applauded U.S. semiconductor
manufacturing company Wolfspeed for the establishment of its New
York Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). As the nation's
leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development, the Institute
serves as the USDOL's national Intermediary responsible for
expanding Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) throughout the
semiconductor and nanotechnology industry supply chains.
Facilitated by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) through the
Institute's Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and
Semiconductor (GAINS) program, Wolfspeed's program will provide
opportunities for workers that are looking to expand their skills
and build a career in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing
industry.
"We commend Wolfspeed for championing domestic semiconductor
manufacturing with the establishment of its Registered
Apprenticeship at their Mohawk Valley Fab," stated Mike Russo, President and CEO of the Institute.
"As the USDOL Intermediary dedicated to expanding Registered
Apprenticeships throughout the semiconductor and
nanotechnology-related supply chains, we're thrilled to offer
technical support and subject-matter expertise to Wolfspeed through
our GAINS program. Registered Apprenticeships provide individuals
from all backgrounds with the chance to obtain high-quality jobs
and vital skills through a learn-and-earn framework, presenting a
significant opportunity for Americans exploring career and
educational pathways."
The GAINS Program equips individuals in Wolfspeed's RAP with
crucial skills for career advancement. Employers and apprentices
alike benefit from the Institute's resources, including the
National Talent Hub – an interactive online platform facilitating
skills assessments, educational and career planning, professional
development support, training progress tracking, and program
administration assistance. These initiatives align curriculum,
cultivate regional talent pipelines and foster a dynamic
workforce.
"Our GAINS program is scalable and extends to all participating
employers' sites across the U.S. However, we work closely with
regional partners to implement our program effectively. In
New York specifically, I'd like to
thank Mohawk Valley Community College
(MVCC) for providing the Required Technical Instruction for the
program and to MACNY for serving as a group sponsor," stated
Martha Ponge, National
Apprenticeship Director at the Institute.
Earlier this month, Wolfspeed celebrated the official signing of
Aaron Albright as the first
apprentice in the Mohawk Valley
program. Albright has been with Wolfspeed for the past 18 months,
initially starting on the materials handling team before advancing
to the manufacturing technician team. In January 2024, he transitioned into his current
role as an Equipment Apprentice.
Albright and future Wolfspeed apprentices will complete a
16-month program for placement in the company's Equipment
Technician career pathway in an Industrial Manufacturing Technician
role. The RAP involves 2,700 hours of on-the-job training and 216
hours of college instruction provided by MVCC.
"At Wolfspeed, we are committed to making the next generation
aware of the incredible career opportunities in the semiconductor
industry and broader STEM fields to help power a better and
brighter future," said Wolfspeed Chief Human Resources Officer,
Margaret Chadwick. "Our New York RAP
will simultaneously train up-and-coming industry professionals
while helping us develop our workforce and reach capacity expansion
goals at our Mohawk Valley Fab. We are excited to work with our
apprentices, building out the semiconductor industry here in the
U.S., and we're grateful for collaborators like the Institute,
MACNY, and MVCC who help to make these advancements possible."
For more information about the Institute's work, visit
www.niit.org.
For more information about Wolfspeed, visit
www.wolfspeed.com.
About the National Institute for Innovation and
Technology
The Institute is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to identify
roadblocks to innovation in strategic industry sectors, those
important to the U.S. national security and global competitiveness,
and ensure they are eliminated. The Institute is responsible for a
national strategy to support the development of the talent pipeline
required for the Semiconductor Industry, including Advanced
Manufacturing and the tech sector. The Institute's National Talent
Pipeline Development Initiative represents a comprehensive,
nationally integrated approach that enables broader participation
by promoting skills-based learning and hiring, connecting the
public education system, returning service members and their
families and adults from other occupations to related technician
and engineering careers. For more information about the Institute,
visit www.niit.org.
About Wolfspeed, Inc.
Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) leads the market in the worldwide
adoption of silicon carbide technologies. We provide
industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a
sustainable future. Wolfspeed's product families include silicon
carbide material and power devices targeted for various
applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, and
renewable energy and storage. We unleash the power of possibilities
through hard work, collaboration and a passion for innovation.
Learn more at www.wolfspeed.com.
X (Formerly Twitter): @Wolfspeed
LinkedIn: @Wolfspeed
Wolfspeed® is a registered trademark of Wolfspeed, Inc.
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wolfspeed-launches-new-york-semiconductor-registered-apprenticeship-program-with-support-from-the-national-institute-of-innovation-and-technology-302078815.html
SOURCE National Institute for Innovation and Technology