Immigration & Workforce | SIA | Semiconductor Industry Association
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Archived: 2026-04-23 17:37
Immigration & Workforce | SIA | Semiconductor Industry Association
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Workforce & Immigration
Strengthen America’s Technology Workforce
To drive semiconductor innovation and U.S. economic competitiveness, America needs to adopt and update policies to educate, attract, and retain the top engineering, scientific, and technical talent in the world and train a skilled workforce for the U.S. semiconductor industry and other strategic technology sectors. From manufacturing technicians with a short-term certificate to chip design engineers with advanced degrees, a growing semiconductor talent pipeline provides career opportunities for all Americans.
Official Comments and Letters >
All Workforce Resources >
Workforce Policy Blueprint >
Featured Immigration & Workforce Resources
Semiconductor Workforce Development: A Policy Blueprint
Chipping Away: Assessing and Addressing the Labor Market Gap Facing the U.S. Semiconductor Industry
Chipping In: The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Workforce and How Federal Incentives Will Increase Domestic Jobs
The competitive position of the U.S. semiconductor industry, as well as other critical and emerging technology industries of strategic importance, depends on an American workforce that is the best educated and trained in the world. Unfortunately, the industry’s need for a skilled workforce greatly exceeds the available talent developed through our U.S. education system and existing training programs. At current rates, the U.S. will not keep up with demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor industry — including for the construction of new fabs — and among all critical technology sectors.
Addressing this shortfall requires a comprehensive approach. More must be done to encourage U.S. students to: 1) pursue education and training in critical areas for the industry; 2) engage in semiconductor-related research and pursue advanced degrees in larger numbers; and 3) choose the semiconductor industry over other competing technology fields. The U.S. must also improve access to international students at U.S. universities, where foreign nationals currently comprise approximately 60% of advanced degree STEM graduates in key areas for the industry. Unfortunately, current U.S. immigration policies create obstacles for these highly educated foreign students to stay in this country over the long term, where they could contribute to economic growth and discoveries that support U.S. competitiveness and technology leadership.
Increase and Sustain Funding for Science Research
Leaders in Washington should increase and sustain funding for federal R&D programs at NSF, NIST, DOE, and DOD to train and build the pipeline of scientists and engineers needed to drive innovation in the semiconductor industry and other strategic technologies. Programs should be targeted at encouraging U.S. students to pursue advanced degrees and engage in research in areas of critical need.
Expand and Focus Skills Training
Government leaders should work with industry to expand skills training initiatives, including increased funding for apprenticeship programs and university chip design programs, reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (CTE), and continuation of workforce development efforts within the CHIPS R&D program and Department of Labor.
Promote Targeted High-Skilled Immigration Reforms
Advance targeted immigration policies that reduce the employment-based green card backlog and improve the industry’s ability to attract and retain foreign national workers with critical skills, particularly at the advanced degree level.
50.4%
The U.S. semiconductor industry is the worldwide leader with half of global market share.
2.3M+
The industry directly employs over 345,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 2 million additional U.S. jobs.
#6
Semiconductors are a top U.S. export after refined oil, crude oil, natural gas, civilian aircraft, and automobiles.
1/5
The U.S. industry invests about one-fifth of revenue in R&D on average, among the most of any sector.
The Latest in Workforce & Immigration
Build the Semiconductor Workforce of the Future
Brochures and One Pagers : 04/02/26
Semiconductor Industry Fact Sheet
Brochures and One Pagers : 03/24/26
Answering the Call: The Critical Role of Veterans in Powering America’s Semiconductor Workforce
Blog : 03/18/26
Learn more about Workforce & Immigration:
News
Resources
1101 K Street NW Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005
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Sign up for SIA News
© 2026 Semiconductor Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
WSTS Login
Contact
Workforce & Immigration
Strengthen America’s Technology Workforce
To drive semiconductor innovation and U.S. economic competitiveness, America needs to adopt and update policies to educate, attract, and retain the top engineering, scientific, and technical talent in the world and train a skilled workforce for the U.S. semiconductor industry and other strategic technology sectors. From manufacturing technicians with a short-term certificate to chip design engineers with advanced degrees, a growing semiconductor talent pipeline provides career opportunities for all Americans.
Official Comments and Letters >
All Workforce Resources >
Workforce Policy Blueprint >
Featured Immigration & Workforce Resources
Semiconductor Workforce Development: A Policy Blueprint
Chipping Away: Assessing and Addressing the Labor Market Gap Facing the U.S. Semiconductor Industry
Chipping In: The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Workforce and How Federal Incentives Will Increase Domestic Jobs
The competitive position of the U.S. semiconductor industry, as well as other critical and emerging technology industries of strategic importance, depends on an American workforce that is the best educated and trained in the world. Unfortunately, the industry’s need for a skilled workforce greatly exceeds the available talent developed through our U.S. education system and existing training programs. At current rates, the U.S. will not keep up with demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor industry — including for the construction of new fabs — and among all critical technology sectors.
Addressing this shortfall requires a comprehensive approach. More must be done to encourage U.S. students to: 1) pursue education and training in critical areas for the industry; 2) engage in semiconductor-related research and pursue advanced degrees in larger numbers; and 3) choose the semiconductor industry over other competing technology fields. The U.S. must also improve access to international students at U.S. universities, where foreign nationals currently comprise approximately 60% of advanced degree STEM graduates in key areas for the industry. Unfortunately, current U.S. immigration policies create obstacles for these highly educated foreign students to stay in this country over the long term, where they could contribute to economic growth and discoveries that support U.S. competitiveness and technology leadership.
Increase and Sustain Funding for Science Research
Leaders in Washington should increase and sustain funding for federal R&D programs at NSF, NIST, DOE, and DOD to train and build the pipeline of scientists and engineers needed to drive innovation in the semiconductor industry and other strategic technologies. Programs should be targeted at encouraging U.S. students to pursue advanced degrees and engage in research in areas of critical need.
Expand and Focus Skills Training
Government leaders should work with industry to expand skills training initiatives, including increased funding for apprenticeship programs and university chip design programs, reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (CTE), and continuation of workforce development efforts within the CHIPS R&D program and Department of Labor.
Promote Targeted High-Skilled Immigration Reforms
Advance targeted immigration policies that reduce the employment-based green card backlog and improve the industry’s ability to attract and retain foreign national workers with critical skills, particularly at the advanced degree level.
50.4%
The U.S. semiconductor industry is the worldwide leader with half of global market share.
2.3M+
The industry directly employs over 345,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 2 million additional U.S. jobs.
#6
Semiconductors are a top U.S. export after refined oil, crude oil, natural gas, civilian aircraft, and automobiles.
1/5
The U.S. industry invests about one-fifth of revenue in R&D on average, among the most of any sector.
The Latest in Workforce & Immigration
Build the Semiconductor Workforce of the Future
Brochures and One Pagers : 04/02/26
Semiconductor Industry Fact Sheet
Brochures and One Pagers : 03/24/26
Answering the Call: The Critical Role of Veterans in Powering America’s Semiconductor Workforce
Blog : 03/18/26
Learn more about Workforce & Immigration:
News
Resources
1101 K Street NW Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005
Sign up for SIA News
© 2026 Semiconductor Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy