Workforce development-building the public education pipeline to meet manufacturing technician hiring needs

A recent technical graduate (RTG) feeder system that delivers qualified entry-level high tech manufacturing technicians is needed. Communities are requiring more local hiring in exchange for expansion incentives. Without active industry participation in the education system, local supply will not meet RTG hiring demand over the next five years at most Intel sites. The education portion of the feeder system should be defined as an elementary school through community college program. The elements of this high tech manufacturing technician program include: curriculum, faculty and laboratory development: student through marketing programs, career fairs, student/parent job fairs and factory tours; student retention through scholarship, internship, co-op and mentor programs: hiring systems development. This paper describes the elements and activities of an integrated RTG feeder system. Understanding and implementing this feeder system will help manufacturing managers improve staffing and operations, as well as have a positive impact on local economic development and industry/community relations. Early results at the Intel New Mexico semiconductor manufacturing site include enrolment increases in college high tech manufacturing programs. The first graduates from this type of program are being hired. As the programs mature, a stable pool of low cost-per-hire, well prepared, entry-level technicians is developing.