Intel’s new chip manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio, is being built 134 miles away from Penta Career Center. But Superintendent Ed Ewers can’t exaggerate the effect the semiconductor company will have on his students’ future careers–as well as workforce needs of local businesses. “It’s very much going to impact us,” he said at the September 7 meeting of the Penta board of education.
Last week, Intel celebrated a groundbreaking at its $20 million semiconductor plant in Licking County, northeast of Columbus. It is Intel’s first new manufacturing site in 40 years.
State and federal leaders hailed the benefit to the U.S. economy because Intel’s semiconductors are crucial to the automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, data center and defense sectors. They are used in computers, smartphones, medical equipment and household appliances.
The superintendent shared a presentation from Jobs Ohio, the state’s economic development agency, that describes the largest single private sector company investment in Ohio’s history. The project is expected to add $2.8 billion to Ohio’s annual gross state product.
Intel expects to hire 3,000 high-tech manufacturing and engineering positions by 2025, plus 7,000 construction jobs.
“It will impact what we do,” Mr. Ewers said, noting the many opportunities for future workers in manufacturing and engineering. “They need a skill set equivalent to what our students learn.”
Work is already underway to build a “talent pipeline” to fill and maintain the 3,000 jobs with skilled workers. Jobs Ohio is supporting Intel with candidate recruitment, events and pre-screening services. Engineers, technicians and other administrative roles will be filled with an average wage for the 3,000 jobs of $135,000.
During a second wave of hiring half of the workers by 2025, about 70 percent will be technicians. These are workers with technical associate or bachelor’s degrees, or equivalent military experience or certifications. The fields are microelectronics, electronic engineering technology, computer engineering technology, mechanics, mechatronics, industrial wastewater, chemical, electrical and HVAC.
However, Mr. Ewers noted not just STEM-related industries will be affected by the new plant.
“There’s going to be a shift as current employees transition [into Intel jobs],” he explained, which will leave vacancies at local companies.
He sees Penta’s role as helping area employers with a skilled workforce to meet their needs.
“As we look at new options for students, this will be an ongoing conversation,” Mr. Ewers said.
According to Intel, making one chip takes about three months on machines worth a combined $150 million.
Currently, according to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s office, 75 percent of chip manufacturing capacity is in Asian countries–mainly Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and China. But with this facility, chips will become a major Ohio export.
Senator Brown said Intel also has committed to a $100 million investment in Ohio higher education initiatives to benefit the semiconductor industry. One of these is the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network for 23 community and technical colleges with focus on technician training to add semiconductor course and equipment to existing advanced manufacturing programs.
The U.S. National Science Foundation also will provide $50 million for research grants available to Ohio institutions.