E3 Alliance Supports the ACC Semiconductor Partnership

Semiconductor Partnership

We are excited to share that E3 Alliance recently participated in the announcement of the Austin Community College (ACC) Semiconductor Partnership. This initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s semiconductor workforce, and several members from E3 were in attendance. 

Susan Dawson, the founder of E3 Alliance and President Emeritus, joined Kyle Seipp, our Director of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, and Marco Pizana, Assistant Director of Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness, at this significant event. The partnership between ACC, Merit America, and America’s Frontier Fund Foundation is set to enhance education and training for the semiconductor industry. 

Merit America, in collaboration with America’s Frontier Fund (AFF) and the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), is launching an innovative “opportunity coalition.” This initiative will leverage ACC’s robust curriculum to offer accelerated, non-credit training programs that aim to create pathways for upward career mobility, with plans to expand these opportunities nationwide. 

When asked about E3’s role in supporting ACC, Dawson remarked, “We are continuing to work closely with ARMA and other partners to build out the workforce pipeline. While we are focusing on credit-bearing pathways, such as Level 1 certifications that are stackable, we are also closely monitoring short-term (non-credit) credentials to evaluate their outcomes and impact.” 

Dawson commended ACC leaders, including Dr. Garrett Groves Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives and Dr. Laura Marmolejo Dean, Advanced Manufacturing for developing what many consider to be the best technician training program in the country. She also acknowledged the support from the Microsoft Data Fund (MSDF) for funding the pilot program, recognizing Virginia Potter and Chris Fraser for their contributions. 

The event featured key attendees including Dr. Russell Lowry-Hart, ACC Chancellor, Kevin Fincher, CEO and President of Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin,  Tamara Atkinson, CEO Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Dr. Chris Cervini, Vice Chancellor for Community and Government Affairs, Johnnie Cain, Front End Operations Training Program Manager at NXP Semiconductors, which all are in collaboration with ACC to enhance semiconductor technician training through the “AMP program.” 

Additionally, representatives from Central Texas College, Temple College, Texas State Technical College and TIE were present, underscoring the collaborative efforts to develop joint training programs in Central Texas with a keen focus on extending ACC’s curriculum to advanced degrees. 

Stay tuned for more updates as E3 Alliance continues to work towards building a strong workforce pipeline in the semiconductor sector! 

Learn more about ACC’s Semiconductor program.