The Maricopa Community College system is helping the state’s fast growing semiconductor sector ensure the talent pipeline remains full to meet employers’ demands.

Three colleges in the system are offering courses as part of the Semiconductor Quick Start program, which can prepare students for entry-level employment in the semiconductor industry in as little as two weeks or 40 hours. 

Students will learn about reading schematics, identifying and using hand tools, following safety protocols for clean rooms and personal protective equipment, and using vacuum systems. 

Courses are available at Estrella Mountain Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and Mesa Community College. Students who successfully complete the program receive a NIMS Semiconductor Certification.

“Manufacturing technicians are the heart and soul of manufacturing facilities,” Lalitha Immaneni, the vice president and senior director for advanced design technology solutions at Intel. “To keep up with the demand of the manufacturing factories, it is very critical that we grow these skill sets in the industry. There is no end to career opportunities in this particular area.”

Intel is in the midst of a $20 billion expansion and the construction of two new fabrication plants in Chandler. 

“This program trains and prepares students to work on automated equipment at a semiconductor company,” said Ken Hackler, program director for the Automated Industrial Technology Program at Mesa Community College. “The class is 10 days. Somebody comes to the course, completes it, and they pass the certification test at the end, then the tuition is completely waived.”

Course completion also comes with the opportunity to interview at a semiconductor firm. Starting wages are competitive. Citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the colleges say that Arizona leads the nation in pay for semiconductor processing technicians, with an average hourly wage of about $30 per hour and entry-level wages in the $20-$25 range. 

Intel is just one of several companies eyeing tremendous growth in the state. TSMC is constructing two chip plants in north Phoenix as part of a $40 billion investment. 

“These critical skills, knowledge, and abilities were identified through our collaboration with TSMC to prepare students for jobs like manufacturing technician and other positions that are responsible for helping to monitor wafer manufacturing processes, execute process analysis, and create collaborative solutions,” Paula Livingston publication Valley Vibe. Livingston is the interim vice president for academic affairs at Estrella Mountain Community College.

In addition to the bootcamp-style Semiconductor Quick Start program, Maricopa Community Colleges also offers coursework leading to an associate in applied science degree in semiconductor manufacturing. “The Industrial Technology for the Semiconductor Industry Program accelerates the attainment of industry credentials for our students – opening doors for promising in-demand careers supporting our state and national economy,” MCC Interim President Lori Berquam . “The program offers our current and future students an incredible opportunity to develop knowledge and skills.”

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In a concerted effort to revitalize microchip manufacturing on American soil, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., last week introduced the Building Chips in America Act. The proposed legislation aims to seize the opportunities created by the CHIPS and Science Act, attracting billions of dollars in domestic manufacturing investments and strengthening national security while upholding environmental safeguards.

In Arizona alone, a $26 billion semiconductor plant from TSMC is set to open in 2024, creating more than 4,000 new jobs. 

One of the key provisions of the proposed bill is the streamlining of approval processes for ongoing and potentially delayed microchip projects, facilitated by empowering the Department of Commerce with additional review tools.

Sen. Kelly, a pivotal negotiator of the CHIPS and Science Act, emphasizes that the legislation will support Arizona’s microchip manufacturing industry by enabling critical projects to move forward without compromising environmental standards. 

“Our CHIPS Law is bringing billions of dollars in investment to Arizona’s microchip manufacturing industry—creating thousands of good-paying jobs, many of which don’t require a four-year degree,” Kelly said. “The Building Chips in America Act will ensure these critical projects can continue construction on time while protecting our clean air and water.”

Co-sponsor Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., echoes support for the manufacturing incentives provided by the CHIPS and Science Act, highlighting their potential to increase chip production in the United States. 

He notes, however, that “as implementation proceeds, unnecessary regulatory burdens are threatening to slow down these critical investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and pause construction that has already begun. The Building Chips in America Act will cut red tape and solidify our nation’s ability to successfully onshore chip production as quickly as possible.” 

Under the Building Chips in America Act, projects that have already begun construction or obtained necessary state and federal permits will not be subject to any National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) review. The Department of Commerce will oversee all NEPA reviews for future projects, allowing for quicker approval times and more resources. 

The proposed legislation has broad support from industry stakeholders like the Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry. The group strongly advocated for the passage of the CHIPS Act last year and applauds this legislation’s efforts to streamline economic development projects and expedite federal review processes for advanced semiconductor facilities.

“This bipartisan bill is an encouraging proposal to help the CHIPS Act fulfill its potential to create thousands of new jobs in a critical economic sector,” Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry Vice President of Government Affairs Courtney Coolidge said. “Arizona wins big under Sen. Kelly’s bill. We look forward to working with him to help it become law.”

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The Arizona Manufacturers Council will honor manufacturers on October 10 at the, which will be attended by business and community leaders, elected officials, manufacturing experts, educators and more.

The event kicks off with a morning summit featuring industry experts and panelists discussing issues facing the manufacturing sector.

Following the summit, the AMC awards luncheon will recognize dynamic leaders from Arizona’s manufacturing community with the following awards:

•                     Small Manufacturer of the Year

•                     Medium Manufacturer of the Year

•                     Large Manufacturer of the Year

•                     Excellence in Sustainability

•                     Excellence in Innovation

Nominations can be submitted. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, August 25. All are encouraged to participate in this process.

October is Manufacturing Month. In addition to the summit and awards luncheon, the AMC will celebrate manufacturers with the, which will feature site visits to manufacturing facilities for a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative operations in the state.

Last year’s honorees were:

•                     Small Manufacturer of the Year: Poly Print

•                     Medium Manufacturer of the Year: TYR Tactical

•                     Large Manufacturer of the Year: CalPortland

•                     Excellence in Innovation: Heitek Automation

•                     Excellence in Sustainability: Republic Services

For more information on Manufacturing Month and the AMC’s activities, contact Grace Appelbe.

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RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, last week was awarded a by the United States Defense Department for three of its AMRAAM missiles: the AIM-120, D-3, and C-8. The order of the AMRAAM missiles is the largest ever . 

RTX is the name of the rebranded Raytheon Technologies. The company is the largest employer in Tucson, supporting more than 12,000 jobs. The AMRAAM work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2027. 

The was rolled out at the recent Paris Air Show. The Raytheon brand name will become one of three business units within RTX. The other two are and , with Raytheon responsible for the vast majority of RTX’s defense work. 

The AMRAAM contract is the 5th order under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh initiative, or F3R, a system allowing for dynamic software and hardware updates. 

The F3R program uses model-based systems engineering as well as other technology to upgrade circuit cards and other hardware that control missile guidance and make software improvements throughout all three models of AMRAAM missiles. The contract provides missiles to the U.S. Air Force and Navy as well as 18 Allied countries including Ukraine. 

“We recognize AMRAAM is the most advanced, combat-proven missile, and we owe it to the warfighters to ensure they have the technology they need when they need it,” Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power for Raytheon, said. “Be it air-to-air or surface-to-air, AMRAAM continues its proud legacy with greater power and precision than ever before with this contract.”

The Arizona Manufacturers Council said it was thrilled by the news that one of Arizona’s leading defense and aerospace firms had landed the deal.

“The aerospace & defense sector is one of the state’s leading job creators, and this contract for RTX just underscores that,” AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. “This is a major feather in the cap for Arizona and Tucson and we congratulate the talented leaders and innovators at RTX for making it happen.”

According to data compiled by Lightcast, Arizona is a top-5 state for aerospace and defense manufacturing and leads the country in guided missile manufacturing. 

The Arizona Commerce Authority led a delegation to the Paris Air Show, which included a visit . Joining ACE President and CEO Sandra Watson were Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden and Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill.

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The Arizona Board of Regents and the three state universities recently unveiled the AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative to address Arizona’s growing health care needs. 

The country continues to battle a critical shortage of medical personnel, and the need in Arizona over the past decade has become particularly acute. Nearly 3 million Arizonans have limited access to primary care, and 1 in 3 Arizona hospitals is critically understaffed. 

The AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative combines the resources and expertise of Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, along with a $30 million investment by the Board of Regents to help train medical professionals, as well as maintain Arizona’s place as a nationwide leader in innovation and bioscience. 

This initiative includes the establishment of ASU Health, which will launch a new medical school to educate new physicians and lead to statewide, ASU-led health clinics 

“We are focusing our full energy and innovation on improving Arizona’s health outcomes,” ASU President Michael Crow. “We must generate knowledge at a scale that will impact society. Our university charter drives us to assume fundamental responsibility for the overall health of the communities we serve. This is an extension of that core belief.” 

State business leaders cheered the news. 

“Ensuring Arizona can meet the health care needs of its residents not only enhances the state’s quality of life, but it also makes us more competitive for new jobs,” Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “Credit to the Board of Regents for taking concrete steps to enhance the health care talent pipeline in Arizona.” 

Gov. Hobbs echoed Seiden. 

“It’s critical that we ensure every Arizonan has access to quality, affordable health care,” Ariz. Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “That means we must attract and develop qualified health care professionals, and the AZ Healthy Tomorrow program is an important step to getting that done. I’m glad Arizona’s universities are moving the needle forward on this important issue.” 

AZ Healthy Tomorrow has set the goal of exceeding the national average for a state’s number of doctors and nurses per-capita. 

Other plans include a partnership between the University of Arizona and Banner Health in creating an academic medical center, allowing students to develop experience while also bringing together Arizona’s foremost research experts. 

“In Tucson, the University of Arizona and its partner — Banner Health — are forging the College of Medicine and Banner University Medical Center into a fully integrated academic medical center, bringing together nationally recognized researchers with clinical programs of distinction,” Regent Fred DuVal in The Arizona Republic. “The result: a higher standard of care for Arizonans and a goal of doubling the volume of new medical doctors.”

Northern Arizona University will also be continuing to build its nursing and allied health professions program. More details are anticipated this fall.  

“Thanks to the Arizona Board of Regents’ AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative, we will be better equipped to serve patients across diverse health care settings and with unique needs, both in urban hubs and rural areas statewide,” Health System Alliance of Arizona President and CEO Brittney Kauffman said. “AZ Healthy Tomorrow will mean more physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to fill the health care talent pipeline, and we look forward to welcoming these new professionals into our hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities across the state in the years ahead.”

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The United States House of Representatives Rules Committee on Tuesday voted 7-6 to send to the full House the deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling until 2025. This comes after weeks of tense negotiations between both parties. 

The full House is expected to vote on H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on Wednesday. The Senate could take up the bill on Friday, as leaders work to get the bill to the president’s desk by June 5, the date Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen says the government will default. 

The deal caps spending for all non-defense items until 2024, with a 1% increase in 2025. Defense spending would rise 3% in 2024, with no cap in 2025. This spending also increases funding for veterans’ healthcare. Other major changes include a return of unspent COVID funds, an age increase for SNAP benefits from 50 to 54 with exceptions for veterans and the homeless, and an increase in IRS funding over the next decade. 

The agreement has earned plaudits from state- and national-level business groups, which are calling for its swift passage. 

“A default on our debt would be disastrous for the American economy, harming job creators, workers and families, and undermining U.S. leadership around the world,” Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden. “The time for debate over whether to raise the debt limit has come to an end. If we are to avoid catastrophic and long-term economic consequences, then it must be done. Congress must put party politics aside and do what’s right for the country.” 

Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, agreed. 

“As we have said from the beginning, defaulting on our debt would create economic chaos, harming manufacturing workers and their families and jeopardizing our leadership in the world,” he. “Congress should act quickly to pass this agreement and to demonstrate to Americans and to the world the continued strength of our institutions and our democracy.” 

The U.S. �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce sent a to Capitol Hill on Monday saying that the vote would figure into the U.S. �鶹��ýӳ��’s “How They Voted” Scorecard. 

“Defaulting on America’s debt is not an option, and this sensible compromise legislation should serve as a template for how greater deals for the fiscal health of the country can be achieved,” the letter said. 

In Texas, the Texas Association of Business says the agreement is a testament to the leadership of McCarthy.

“Speaker McCarthy was not dealt a great hand, but credit to him for walking away with a very solid deal for the business community and the country,” TAB President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. “This compromise is a good one and deserves to be passed.” 

Although allies of both McCarthy and Biden celebrated the deal, the extremes of both parties rained down criticism. 

Two GOP members of the Freedom Caucus who also serve on the Rules Committee voted against advancing the bill. 

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also expressed her displeasure with the deal, saying that Biden and his allies should worry about progressive support of the debt ceiling deal extension, adding another potential landmine in an already perilous situation. 

The Fiscal Responsibility Act also makes significant headway on permitting reform for energy projects throughout the United States. The BUILDER Act, which is included in the debt ceiling deal, would shorten the approval process for new energy projects from up to seven years to two years and significantly streamline scientific review proceedings. 

Republican freshman Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani said in a he will vote for the bill and not risk catastrophic default. 

“I will be a yes on this week’s debt ceiling vote. The alternatives are a clean lift or defaulting on our obligations — two options I’m not willing to entertain,” Ciscomani said. “I was elected to responsibly govern, and what Republicans have negotiated is a step in the right direction.” 

Seiden applauded the announcement. 

“Once again, Congressman Ciscomani is demonstrating why he’s considered a rising star on Capitol Hill,” Seiden said. “All members of the Arizona delegation should follow his example, stop the grandstanding, and preserve the health of the U.S. economy.”

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If the federal government were to default on its debt it “would be catastrophic for the U.S. economy,” and that “it is impossible to overstate the negative consequences that would occur,” U.S. �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley Tuesday.

Negotiations between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy continue, which McCarthy has described as “productive,” yet also emphasizing that House Republicans are “nowhere near a deal.”

Bradley says negotiations need to quickly come to a resolution, with Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen saying in a letter sent Monday to Biden and McCarthy that June 1 is the deadline to avoid default.

“I am writing to note that we estimate that it is highly likely that Treasury will no longer be able to satisfy all of the government’s obligations if Congress has not acted to raise or suspend the debt limit by early June, and potentially as early as June 1,” Yellen wrote.

Yellen’s June 1 deadline has been disputed by several House Republicans, most prominently House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Other estimates point to dates in early June, with Goldman Sachs projecting defaults starting on June 8 and Wells Fargo analysts suggesting June 15.

Bradley says the fallout of a default would not only affect the U.S. economy, but the entire globe’s.

“The U.S. economy and global financial system are all underpinned by the idea that the U.S. government – unlike others around the world – always pays its bills. Investments in U.S. debt are considered ‘risk-free’, which means the federal government pays less to borrow money,” he said. The U.S.’ competitiveness would be greatly diminished. “The role of the dollar globally would be weakened, perhaps permanently. Most analysts believe this would result in an immediate recession with long-term negative effects.”

As the president and speaker negotiate, party leaders are sniping over who’s to blame for the impasse.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said of House Republicans’ rejection of a White House proposed plan to extend the debt limit, “They’ve rejected the fact that President Biden is willing to consider freezing spending. It will reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars. This is what the extreme MAGA Republicans say that they want. They rejected. They rejected an unwillingness to not put the country through this again.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Republican Rep. Garret Graves, a lead House Republican negotiator, said, “Until this administration is willing to recognize that they are having record spending, record deficits and record taxes, then we’re not going to be able to come together.”

Arizona Rep. David Schweikert, a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, said in a speech on the House floor last week that there are lessons to be learned from the last near-miss on the debt ceiling in 2011 and that the U.S. should anticipate a negative effect on its credit rating.

“In 2011, U.S. sovereign debt got a one-tick downgrade. Standard and Poor’s came in and said, ‘Nope, you guys are AA+’,” Schweikert said. “This is Standard & Poor’s report from 2011. They downgraded United States debt because we did not take our debt seriously. We did not take it seriously how we were going to manage it into the future. Here we are, a decade-plus later, things are dramatically worse.”

The S&P downgrade in 2011 cited “political brinksmanship” as evidence that U.S. policymaking was becoming less stable, injecting greater uncertainty into the U.S. economy, a topic Arizona �鶹��ýӳ�� of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said worries him and his members from the state’s business community.

“The debate over whether to raise the debt ceiling is an example of a public policy threat to the business environment,” Seiden wrote in an April column. “Instead of worrying whether a new product will boost sales or whether financing can be secured to expand a plant, businesses are left wondering whether Congress will take the steps necessary to ensure the nation can continue to pay its bills or whether it will unleash chaos on domestic and international markets.”

Markets are taking notice. The Dow on Tuesday fell 230 points, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also fell.

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