More benefits are coming to Austin Community College District (ACC) students. U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett announced $1.5 million he secured directly in congressional funding for semiconductor training Thursday, August 29, at the Highland Campus in the NXP Advanced Manufacturing Lab.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe new landscape of higher education is going to take anyone, at any stage in their career or education development, whether they have a GED or need one, or they have a master’s degree in philosophy. Everyone’s going to need access to new skills to apply in whatever field they’re in or to be in the foundation of creating those experiences,\u201d says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. \u201cThe power of educators that we have leading in our semiconductor training is that when you talk about AI or chips, it feels intimidating. No one knows what that means. When you bring funding to a space like this and ACC, it makes sense. You learn with your hands and realize I can do that. That’s the power of creating this learning environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The federal funds allow ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Department to acquire semiconductor subsystems to expand current training programs and develop new ones aligned with industry demands. This new equipment will provide hands-on learning in a setting that replicates industry conditions. Funding will also support necessary facility upgrades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis does indicate the investment in workforce and in the NXP Manufacturing Lab at ACC. NXP is one of the partners that will be contributing expensive and complex equipment for students. The idea is (to) incentivize the public and private partnership \u2014 that is essential,\u201d says Doggett. \u201cThis funding will help ACC reflect the capabilities of modern semiconductor processes and meet the industry and workforce needs. We are building capacity that is vital to national security. It will put food on the table for Central Texas families and provide the opportunity for one family after another here because of getting a great ACC education.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n