Lansing Sun

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) has established a semiconductor talent action team in an effort to pave the way for the state to be a worldwide issue in the semiconductor sector.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, the team is backed by an alliance from both municipal and commercial sectors, who desire to make Michigan a leader in semiconductor talent solutions. The initiative is in line with Whitmer’s objective to bring the semiconductor supply chain back to the state while establishing well-paying jobs.  

“The mission of Michigan State University is to educate entrepreneurs, leaders and the future workforce of Michigan as well as leading research breakthroughs that create the promising technologies of tomorrow,” Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. said in the release “We are proud to collaborate with other institutions and the state of Michigan to grow and connect our majors to the mission of the industry. An engineering technology degree program is under development at MSU which will align with the semiconductor industry and enable our top talent to remain in Michigan. Together with our statewide academic partners, we are ready to provide the workforce of the future and the discoveries of the future for a newly imagined Midwest Technology community that will lead our region, nation and world.”

Working with shareholders the talent action team will create semiconductor-specific curricula, along with research and development investments that will attract semiconductor companies to invest in Michigan.

“Michigan is committed to leading the future of the global semiconductor industry by investing in our workforce,” Whitmer said. “We have one of the most skilled, diverse, and abundant workforces in the nation and by bringing together this new talent action team of our partners in private industry and academia, we can build on our strengths and develop a strategy that will grow our economy for decades to come.”

Whitmer added that the state will position itself to meet the demand for domestic production of semiconductors and she will continue to work with lawmakers to make it happen.

“As the MEDC strives to make the state’s economy the fastest-growing, most equitable, and most resilient in the nation, developing the talent for Michigan’s tomorrow is a foundational piece of the puzzle,” said MEDC Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Solutions & Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh. “Michigan is already a leader in STEM talent and research, and by convening the Semiconductor Talent Action Team, we are building the model for a rich ecosystem of talent and innovation that positions our state to lead the future of the global semiconductor industry.”