In a recent Workforce Roundtable discussion, Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), industry leaders, and the MDM2 Consortium met to discuss strategies for addressing workforce needs in Arizona. The key topics in this conversation were workforce trends, training priorities, and industry collaborations to build the talent pipeline, particularly in the high-demand semiconductor and manufacturing sectors.
Inclusivity:
MCCCD and all 10 of its individually accredited Colleges are recognized as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and aim to support a diverse student body. The district emphasizes expanding the representation of women and students of color in technical fields through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Currently, 66% of students enrolled in the semiconductor training programs are students of color, and 33% are women, demonstrating the district’s commitment to creating an inclusive workforce pipeline.
Training Programs:
One of the main themes of the roundtable was the benefit of industry-driven training. With input from industry, MCCCD can better align training with actual workplace demands. Industry partnerships will also play a role in MCCCD's planned revamp of its Gateway campus to create new manufacturing spaces that replicate real-world environments. This collaboration will allow students to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard technology, making them better prepared for technical roles upon graduation.
A Quick Start Semiconductor Technician program introduced by the MCCCD, provides students with hands-on learning from experienced instructors and certifications that lead to full time jobs. The Earn While You Learn model, a partnership with Ambulance and Fire Partners to respond to the shortage of EMT’s & paramedics, allows students to gain on-the-job experience while training. The model helps to fill labor gaps, while also supporting long-term retention by ensuring students have a clear career path. These models can be adapted to medical device manufacturing by offering hands-on training and certification programs that can help in preparing students for specialized roles within the industry. In addition, the models can help address workforce shortages by providing students with experience that increases job readiness and retention.
Workforce:
A key challenge noted in the discussion is that many prospective employees are unaware of available job opportunities. This issue can be particularly noticeable in fields that require specialized environments, such as clean rooms used in semiconductor manufacturing. Promoting awareness about job roles and career paths could help attract more candidates to these fields.
Micro-credentials:
Industry-aligned micro credentials are a key interest, as they could provide the ability to showcase verified skills that would be impactful in today’s job market. These micro-credentials need industry backing to ensure they meet current hiring standards, potentially setting a new benchmark for workforce credentialing.
Moving Forward:
By positioning MDM2 as a Tech Hub, there is an opportunity for resources to expand workforce efforts. This tech hub designation will continue to encourage collaboration between education and industry. Greater Phoenix is building a workforce pipeline to meet the current demands and prepare for the future by cultivating a skilled, diverse, and job-ready talent pool.