Technician Training for the Semiconductor Microdevices Industry. Final Report.

The Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) carried out four activities to foster semiconductor manufacturing technician (SMT) training: (1) collaboration with industry experts and educators while developing a curriculum to train SMTs; (2) implementation and testing of the curriculum at a technical college; (3) dissemination of information to postsecondary schools, community, and technical colleges; and (4) creation of a model for the development of technician training programs for new and emerging technologies. Four recommendations emerged from the project: (1) cost savings in SMT program implementation can be achieved by using existing labs and using solar cells rather than semiconductors; (2) participants should be given release time from the job while attending classes; (3) participants should have more time to attend classes; and (4) student materials should be developed. (The bulk of the document consists of the following appendices: SMT project time line; technical advisory committee membership list and letter; preliminary task list; curriculum advisory committee and validation list; industry survey/responses statement; Boise State University (BSU) Transformations course description; BSU Transformations demographics and schedule; Texas State Technical College (TSTC) at Waco SMT outlines for nine specialty course; TSTC curriculum and course descriptions; CORD model curricula and course descriptions; press notices; promotion/dissemination of semiconductor manufacturing technology materials; and evaluation report by Glen Bounds.) (NLA)