Florida is Leading in Comprehensive Semiconductor Workforce Development

Florida has quickly emerged as a national leader in semiconductor workforce development. Fueled by over $1 billion in local, state and federal investment, the state is building a comprehensive semiconductor supply chain with a clear focus on bolstering the talent pipeline – from elementary education to Ph.D. programs – to create pathways for more than 10,000 high-wage jobs.

To meet growing demand, the University of Florida’s Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) has launched a comprehensive set of workforce initiatives to support the state’s critical need for a strong semiconductor workforce.

Florida’s manufacturing sector, which includes semiconductor production, contributed $73 billion to the state’s GDP in 2022, up from $43.5 billion in 2014. According to FSI’s 2024 workforce report, the state now ranks third in the nation for the number of semiconductor establishments, with over 120 facilities, and fifth for semiconductor manufacturing employment, supporting over 18,000 jobs with a wage impact exceeding $5 billion. Due to shifts in global supply chains and a national effort to “re-onshore” chip-making capacity to the United States, the sector is poised for substantial growth.

“With strong support from all key state-government, educational-institution and semiconductor-industry stakeholders in Florida, it is an exciting time to work in partnership on the critical common goal of growing the semiconductor workforce,” said Jack Judy, Ph.D., deputy director of FSI for Workforce Development.
As part of one workforce development initiative, FSI and the Florida Semiconductor Engine (the Engine) will soon launch a statewide outreach campaign with a job-search and talent-discovery app designed to make the hiring process more private, personalized and effective. The campaign builds on current workforce efforts from the Florida Department of Education, Orlando Economic Partnership, and CareerSource Central Florida.

In addition, teams are hosting STEM-focused community events in Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville and Brevard County to showcase emerging technologies and inspire careers in the semiconductor industry.

“We are excited to join our partners in building the semiconductor innovation ecosystem that advances Florida forward,” stated Tawny Olore, P.E., CEO of the Engine. “Workforce development is foundational to our efforts, and we are proud to work alongside our partners to develop these initiatives to grow the talent pipeline for the future.”

Other workforce initiatives and outcomes:

Activites

• Integrating semiconductor education into STEM K-20 curricula through programs such as Chip In Florida, which included over 190 participating instructors who integrated semiconductor projects into their classrooms this spring
• K-20 Professional Development Day, which brought over 65 CTE Directors, instructors and staff from around Florida to get a first-hand look at career options in semiconductors

Training Level

• Training educators delivering industry-relevant lessons by offering professional development opportunities this summer from our partners, IEEE and Amatrol
• Establishing semiconductor training hubs at University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, and Florida International University supported by satellite programs in state and technical colleges
• Organizing and supporting a $500,000 internship program funded by the Engine (a program designed to help reshore critical semiconductor manufacturing to the United States) for over 60 students to gain on-the-job experience working in the semiconductor industry
• Launching STEM days, semiconductor fab tours, upskilling boot camps and workshops to inspire and rapidly train workers in high-demand skills
• Coordinating the development of industry-driven certifications to speed up the onboarding process of trainees into jobs at semiconductor companies
• Developing clear career pathways and visual guides to support students from high school through advanced roles in the sector
  
  

The Engine is a key partner in advancing workforce development in the Florida semiconductor industry, creating a statewide network of partners to seed and help build a highly-skilled technology workforce for the future. Launched in 2024 as one of ten inaugural U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, the Florida Semiconductor Engine is headquartered at NeoCity in Osceola County. It specializes in advanced semiconductor packaging and is strengthening Florida’s semiconductor and advanced-manufacturing ecosystem.

To build a skilled workforce, the Engine partners with institutions such as UF, UCF and Valencia College to develop programs and train technicians and engineers. For example, the Engine funded the development of a new AS degree in Semiconductor Engineering Technology at Valencia College that can be adopted statewide. A major collaborative initiative between FSI and the Florida Advanced Technical Education (FLATE) Center is the $500,000 internship program funded by the Engine and jointly led by FSI and FLATE.

This program offers paid opportunities for students at universities, state colleges, technical colleges and high schools across Florida to gain hands-on experience in the semiconductor industry.

A key focus is building the talent pipeline, from elementary education to doctoral programs, and creating pathways for more than 10,000 high-wage jobs. By expanding training programs, aligning education with industry needs, and fostering strong public-private partnerships, Florida is positioning its workforce for the future of the global semiconductor and electronics industries.

FSI is at the heart of this momentum, collaborating with key strategic partners across the state, including the Engine and CareerSource Central Florida. Together, these organizations are driving Florida’s semiconductor strategy forward with a dual focus on economic growth and workforce preparedness. 
CareerSource Central Florida is strengthening the semiconductor workforce in the state through a combination of strategic investments, public-private partnerships and innovative training programs. In collaboration with the Florida Department of Education and FloridaCommerce, CareerSource Central Florida supports apprenticeship and credentialing initiatives tailored to the needs of the semiconductor industry.

Through programs such as Apprentice Florida and the GAINS (Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors) initiative, CareerSource Central Florida is helping to create “earn-while-you-learn” pathways that connect individuals with high-demand careers. With Apprenticeship Navigators across its 24 local workforce boards and active involvement in regional innovation hubs like the Florida Semiconductor Engine, CareerSource Central Florida is building on efforts to position the state as a national leader in semiconductor-talent development.

“Partnership is the key to ensuring we can meet the need for talent that will propel Florida’s growing semiconductor industry into the future and help diversify Central Florida’s economy,” said Pamela Nabors, president and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida. “We’re thrilled to bring our workforce development expertise to the table so that we can connect workers – whether they’re just breaking into the workforce or changing careers – to the exciting opportunities the semiconductor industry has to offer.”

The growth of Florida’s semiconductor industry is being propelled by the state’s strong aerospace, aviation, transportation and defense industries, as well as its strategic infrastructure, including 15 deepwater ports and multiple spaceports. Florida’s advanced technology ecosystem seamlessly intersects with key sectors such as healthtech, biotech and fintech, further strengthening Florida’s position as a national leader in semiconductor innovation and workforce development. 
With a rapidly expanding talent pipeline, state-of-the-art training facilities and unparalleled industry integration, Florida is setting the standard for the future of the semiconductor workforce in the United States.
 
UF | Florida Semiconductor Institute
FSI serves as the statewide hub for research, development, and workforce initiatives in semiconductor technologies. It is dedicated to making Florida a global leader in specialty electronics, focusing on emerging materials, chip design, process development, microsystems, heterogeneous integration, advanced packaging, and cybersecurity to meet growing industry demands.

Florida Semiconductor Engine
Launched in 2024 by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the Florida Semiconductor Engine will power economic prosperity across Florida by transforming the regional semiconductor industry, advancing collaborative research and innovations, and building a skilled technical workforce. Headquartered at NeoCity—a 500-acre technology district in Osceola County, Florida, in the Orlando region—the Engine brings together major Florida research institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, industry and economic and workforce development partners.

CareerSource Central Florida
CareerSource Central Florida curates local talent for high-demand industries, meeting local business needs and cultivating growth and prosperity for the Central Florida community. Whether through job placement, training and certification programs, or higher education, we partner with Central Florida businesses, colleges, and universities to meet industry needs and connect career seekers to local opportunities.