83 FR 32842 - Current and Future Workforce Needs to Support a Strong Domestic Semiconductor Industry
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 136 (July 16, 2018)
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 136 (July 16, 2018)
| Page Range | 32842-32843 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15077 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 32842-32843] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15077] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology [Docket Number: 180404350-8350-01] Current and Future Workforce Needs to Support a Strong Domestic Semiconductor Industry AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; Request for Information (RFI). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on behalf of the Department of Commerce and the National Security Council is seeking information on the scope and sufficiency of efforts to educate, train, and attract the workforce necessary to meet the demands of the current and future semiconductor industry, in support of the President's National Security Strategy. DATES: Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 15, 2018. Written comments in response to this RFI should be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections below. Submissions received after that date may not be considered. ADDRESSES: To respond to this RFI, please submit written comments by email to semiwkfc@nist.gov in any of the following formats: ASCII; Word; RTF; or PDF. Please include your name, organization's name (if any), and cite ``Semiconductor Workforce RFI'' in the subject line of all correspondence. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, or Adobe PDF formats only. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include electronic copies of the referenced materials. Please do not submit additional materials. All submissions, including attachments and other supporting materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Sensitive personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other individuals, should not be included. Submissions will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language or content will not be considered. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this FRN contact: Jason Boehm or David Seiler, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, at 301-975-8678 or 301-975-2074. Please direct media inquiries to Jennifer Huergo in the NIST Public Affairs Office at jennifer.huergo@nist.gov, (301) 975-6343. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Trump's National Security Strategy,\1\ released in December of 2017, specifically highlights the importance of emerging technologies to economic growth and security, including advances in data science, encryption, autonomous technologies, new materials, advanced computing technologies, and artificial intelligence--all of which are powered by and dependent upon continued advances in semiconductor technology. Maintaining the technological edge of the United States in this critical industry area requires a robust domestic workforce. As part of the National Security Strategy, the United States will seek to maintain and develop the necessary workforce through a multifaceted approach including enhanced support for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate STEM education (with a particular focus on semiconductor technology), targeted technical training, internship and apprenticeship programs, and cooperative education programs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905-2.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Responses to this RFI will inform recommendations to the National Security Council on steps the Administration can take to strengthen the technical workforce that supports the semiconductor and related industries. The report will assess the scope and sufficiency of efforts to educate and train the future American semiconductor workforce from primary through higher education, and provide recommendations and a plan on how the government will continue to support the growth and sustainment of this workforce to meet the needs of both the private and public sectors. In this RFI, NIST seeks specific information from stakeholders of the semiconductor industry such as materials providers, equipment suppliers, manufacturers, designers, trade associations, educational institutions, government entities, and other interested parties about the workforce needs of the semiconductor industry, and potential efforts to strengthen the current and future workforce. In this request, the term ``semiconductor'' broadly refers to semiconductor materials, devices, sensors, integrated circuits, computing architectures, software tools, design, lithography, fabrication, testing, packaging, embedded software and firmware developers, and related technologies that, through a combination of materials processing, manufacturing, and application, form the foundation and basis for the semiconductor, memory, technology manufacturing, computing, and information technology industry sectors. NIST seeks information that will assist U.S. Government efforts in developing recommendations for supporting the growth and sustainment of the Nation's semiconductor workforce to meet the current and future needs of the public and private sectors. Our goal is to gather input that will be utilized to refine and target relevant federal resources and programs to attract, educate, and train the necessary advanced technical workforce necessary to ensure that the U.S. maintains a robust semiconductor industrial base, including the fundamental research needed to continue to innovate in semiconductor technologies, that is necessary to drive future advances in transformational technologies including [[Page 32843]] artificial intelligence (AI), advanced and quantum computing, and autonomous systems. Request for Information Respondents are encouraged--but not required--to respond to any or all of the following questions, and may address related topics. Please identify the questions or topic areas each of your comments addresses. The following questions cover the major areas about which NIST seeks comment. These questions are directed towards domestic semiconductor manufacturers, associated supporting industries, educational institutions, and their stakeholders. Responses may include estimates. Please indicate where the response is an estimate. Respondents may organize their submissions in response to this RFI in any manner, and all responses that comply with the requirements listed in the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of this notice will be considered. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include electronic copies of the referenced materials. Do not include in comments or otherwise submit proprietary or confidential information. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or inappropriate language or content will not be considered. Basic Information Briefly describe your company or organization in terms of: a. What is the name of your company or organization? b. How is your company or organization involved with the semiconductor industry (e.g., industry association, university, company involved in semiconductor design, fabrication, package test and assembly, or other)? Workforce Challenges and Needs 1. When hiring technical staff, for what types of positions do you encounter the most difficultly in finding qualified employees? a. Have you been able to identify any causes for these recruitment difficulties (lack of appropriate educational programs, lack of collaboration between industry and educational institutions, competition within your industry, competition for talent from outside your industry, etc.) 2. Are there specific educational levels that are needed for your current workforce? a. Are there some educational levels where it is harder to find qualified staff? b. Have you been able to identify any causes for these difficulties in finding qualified staff (high competition for a specific talent pool, lack of experienced individuals, educational programs not directly aligned with your needs, etc.) 3. Are there certain factors relating to workforce needs that your company or organization prioritizes when locating a new facility, for example a strong base of existing talent, a robust local educational ecosystem, etc.? 4. How do you see the work force needs of your company or organization changing over the next 5 years, 10 years, 15 years? a. Do you think that certain levels of education will be more important? b. Are there fields of training that you think will be more important? 5. As the industry continues to evolve and develop and integrate new technologies (e.g., new computing paradigms, new material systems, broader use of AI) are there skillsets that you see as becoming more important? a. Do you have an opinion on the types of training needed to develop these skillsets for the future? b. From your experience are there types of partnerships with federal agencies and/or educational institutions that would be helpful to prepare this workforce for the future? 6. Are there certain obstacles that you see as the biggest impediment to meeting your workforce needs? For example, a lack of aligned educational programs (including internship and apprenticeship opportunities), a lack of collaboration with such educational programs, a lack of students in science and engineering, a lack of interest in your industry, a lack of facilities with appropriate equipment to train workers (e.g., community colleges without access to fabrication equipment/facilities), or other issues? Please describe. Potential Workforce Solutions 7. Are there specific approaches your company or organization utilizes to address your workforce needs? For example, tailored partnerships and curricula with regional universities and community colleges, internship or apprenticeship programs, training or retraining of displaced workers, or other approaches? 8. Are there certain approaches or actions that would most effectively stimulate the supply of qualified workers for the semiconductor industry in the near term (e.g., targeted scholarships including internships/apprenticeships, loan repayment incentives, procurement of specialized equipment for schools and universities, immigration and visa reform, etc.)? 9. What approaches do you think would most effectively stimulate the supply of qualified workers for the semiconductor industry over the long term (e.g., professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and K-12 student programs such as camps, competitions and projects in the semiconductor space)? 10. Although apprenticeship has, in the past, been available mostly to those in the traditional trades, efforts are now underway to expand apprenticeship into new fields, including advanced manufacturing, IT, healthcare, energy supply and distribution, banking and finance and engineering (in partnership with four-year institutions). Have you considered engaging in apprenticeship training to prepare your workforce? Why or why not? 11. Are there examples of partnerships with local educational institutions (e.g., a work-study program) that you use to support your operations? 12. Are there types of support (grants, economic development incentives or other benefits) from federal, state and local government agencies that have helped enable your workforce? Of these types of support what makes them most effective? Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278s. Kevin A. Kimball, Chief of Staff. [FR Doc. 2018-15077 Filed 7-13-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
![32842 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Notices
Dated: July 10, 2018. ‘‘Semiconductor Workforce RFI’’ in the multifaceted approach including
Gary Taverman, subject line of all correspondence. enhanced support for K–12,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping Comments sent by any other method, to undergraduate, and graduate STEM
and Countervailing Duty Operations, any other address or individual, or education (with a particular focus on
performing the non-exclusive functions and received after the end of the comment semiconductor technology), targeted
duties of the Assistant Secretary for period, may not be considered. All technical training, internship and
Enforcement and Compliance. personal identifying information (e.g., apprenticeship programs, and
Appendix—List of Topics Discussed in name, address) submitted voluntarily by cooperative education programs.
the Issues and Decision Memorandum the sender will be publicly accessible. Responses to this RFI will inform
Do not submit confidential business recommendations to the National
I. Summary information, or otherwise sensitive or Security Council on steps the
II. Scope of the Order protected information. Attachments to Administration can take to strengthen
III. Period of Review
electronic comments will be accepted in the technical workforce that supports
IV. Subsidies Valuation Information
V. Analysis of Programs Microsoft Word or Excel, or Adobe PDF the semiconductor and related
VI. Analysis of Comments formats only. industries. The report will assess the
Comment 1: Whether Hyundai Steel and Comments containing references, scope and sufficiency of efforts to
Hyundai Green Power Are Cross-Owned studies, research, and other empirical educate and train the future American
Affiliates data that are not widely published semiconductor workforce from primary
Comment 2: Whether the Government of should include electronic copies of the through higher education, and provide
Korea Purchased Electricity From referenced materials. Please do not recommendations and a plan on how
Hyundai Green Power for More Than submit additional materials. the government will continue to support
Adequate Remuneration During the POR All submissions, including the growth and sustainment of this
VII. Recommendation attachments and other supporting workforce to meet the needs of both the
[FR Doc. 2018–15137 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am] materials, will become part of the public private and public sectors.
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P record and subject to public disclosure. In this RFI, NIST seeks specific
Sensitive personal information, such as information from stakeholders of the
account numbers or Social Security semiconductor industry such as
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE numbers, or names of other individuals, materials providers, equipment
should not be included. Submissions suppliers, manufacturers, designers,
National Institute of Standards and will not be edited to remove any trade associations, educational
Technology identifying or contact information. Do institutions, government entities, and
[Docket Number: 180404350–8350–01] not submit confidential business other interested parties about the
information, or otherwise sensitive or workforce needs of the semiconductor
Current and Future Workforce Needs protected information. Comments that industry, and potential efforts to
to Support a Strong Domestic contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or strengthen the current and future
Semiconductor Industry other inappropriate language or content workforce. In this request, the term
will not be considered. ‘‘semiconductor’’ broadly refers to
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For semiconductor materials, devices,
and Technology, Department of sensors, integrated circuits, computing
Commerce. questions about this FRN contact: Jason
Boehm or David Seiler, U.S. Department architectures, software tools, design,
ACTION: Notice; Request for Information lithography, fabrication, testing,
of Commerce, National Institute of
(RFI). Standards and Technology, at 301–975– packaging, embedded software and
SUMMARY: The National Institute of 8678 or 301–975–2074. firmware developers, and related
Please direct media inquiries to technologies that, through a
Standards and Technology (NIST) on
Jennifer Huergo in the NIST Public combination of materials processing,
behalf of the Department of Commerce
Affairs Office at jennifer.huergo@ manufacturing, and application, form
and the National Security Council is
nist.gov, (301) 975–6343. the foundation and basis for the
seeking information on the scope and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President semiconductor, memory, technology
sufficiency of efforts to educate, train,
Trump’s National Security Strategy,1 manufacturing, computing, and
and attract the workforce necessary to
released in December of 2017, information technology industry sectors.
meet the demands of the current and NIST seeks information that will
future semiconductor industry, in specifically highlights the importance of
emerging technologies to economic assist U.S. Government efforts in
support of the President’s National developing recommendations for
Security Strategy. growth and security, including advances
in data science, encryption, autonomous supporting the growth and sustainment
DATES: Comments must be received by of the Nation’s semiconductor
technologies, new materials, advanced
5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 15, workforce to meet the current and future
computing technologies, and artificial
2018. Written comments in response to needs of the public and private sectors.
intelligence—all of which are powered
this RFI should be submitted in by and dependent upon continued Our goal is to gather input that will be
accordance with the instructions in the advances in semiconductor technology. utilized to refine and target relevant
ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY federal resources and programs to
Maintaining the technological edge of
INFORMATION sections below. attract, educate, and train the necessary
the United States in this critical
Submissions received after that date advanced technical workforce necessary
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
industry area requires a robust domestic
may not be considered. workforce. As part of the National to ensure that the U.S. maintains a
ADDRESSES: To respond to this RFI, Security Strategy, the United States will robust semiconductor industrial base,
please submit written comments by seek to maintain and develop the including the fundamental research
email to semiwkfc@nist.gov in any of the necessary workforce through a needed to continue to innovate in
following formats: ASCII; Word; RTF; or semiconductor technologies, that is
PDF. Please include your name, 1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ necessary to drive future advances in
organization’s name (if any), and cite uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905-2.pdf. transformational technologies including
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Notices 32843
artificial intelligence (AI), advanced and b. Have you been able to identify any equipment for schools and universities,
quantum computing, and autonomous causes for these difficulties in finding immigration and visa reform, etc.)?
systems. qualified staff (high competition for a 9. What approaches do you think
specific talent pool, lack of experienced would most effectively stimulate the
Request for Information supply of qualified workers for the
individuals, educational programs not
Respondents are encouraged—but not directly aligned with your needs, etc.) semiconductor industry over the long
required—to respond to any or all of the 3. Are there certain factors relating to term (e.g., professional development
following questions, and may address workforce needs that your company or opportunities for K–12 teachers and K–
related topics. Please identify the organization prioritizes when locating a 12 student programs such as camps,
questions or topic areas each of your new facility, for example a strong base competitions and projects in the
comments addresses. The following of existing talent, a robust local semiconductor space)?
questions cover the major areas about educational ecosystem, etc.? 10. Although apprenticeship has, in
which NIST seeks comment. These 4. How do you see the work force the past, been available mostly to those
questions are directed towards domestic needs of your company or organization in the traditional trades, efforts are now
semiconductor manufacturers, changing over the next 5 years, 10 years, underway to expand apprenticeship
associated supporting industries, 15 years? into new fields, including advanced
educational institutions, and their a. Do you think that certain levels of manufacturing, IT, healthcare, energy
stakeholders. Responses may include education will be more important? supply and distribution, banking and
estimates. Please indicate where the b. Are there fields of training that you finance and engineering (in partnership
response is an estimate. think will be more important? with four-year institutions). Have you
Respondents may organize their 5. As the industry continues to evolve considered engaging in apprenticeship
submissions in response to this RFI in and develop and integrate new training to prepare your workforce?
any manner, and all responses that technologies (e.g., new computing Why or why not?
comply with the requirements listed in paradigms, new material systems, 11. Are there examples of
the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of broader use of AI) are there skillsets that partnerships with local educational
this notice will be considered. you see as becoming more important? institutions (e.g., a work-study program)
Comments containing references, a. Do you have an opinion on the that you use to support your operations?
studies, research, and other empirical types of training needed to develop 12. Are there types of support (grants,
data that are not widely published these skillsets for the future? economic development incentives or
should include electronic copies of the other benefits) from federal, state and
b. From your experience are there
referenced materials. Do not include in local government agencies that have
types of partnerships with federal
comments or otherwise submit helped enable your workforce? Of these
agencies and/or educational institutions
proprietary or confidential information. types of support what makes them most
that would be helpful to prepare this
Comments that contain profanity, effective?
workforce for the future?
vulgarity, threats, or inappropriate Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278s.
6. Are there certain obstacles that you
language or content will not be
see as the biggest impediment to Kevin A. Kimball,
considered.
meeting your workforce needs? For
Chief of Staff.
Basic Information example, a lack of aligned educational
[FR Doc. 2018–15077 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am]
Briefly describe your company or programs (including internship and
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
organization in terms of: apprenticeship opportunities), a lack of
a. What is the name of your company collaboration with such educational
or organization? programs, a lack of students in science
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
b. How is your company or and engineering, a lack of interest in
organization involved with the your industry, a lack of facilities with National Oceanic and Atmospheric
semiconductor industry (e.g., industry appropriate equipment to train workers Administration
association, university, company (e.g., community colleges without
access to fabrication equipment/ RIN 0648–XG304
involved in semiconductor design,
fabrication, package test and assembly, facilities), or other issues? Please
describe. Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
or other)? Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Workforce Challenges and Needs Potential Workforce Solutions Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S.
7. Are there specific approaches your Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing
1. When hiring technical staff, for Permit
what types of positions do you company or organization utilizes to
encounter the most difficultly in finding address your workforce needs? For AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
qualified employees? example, tailored partnerships and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
a. Have you been able to identify any curricula with regional universities and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
causes for these recruitment difficulties community colleges, internship or Commerce.
(lack of appropriate educational apprenticeship programs, training or ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
programs, lack of collaboration between retraining of displaced workers, or other application for an exempted fishing
industry and educational institutions, approaches? permit; request for comments.
8. Are there certain approaches or
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
competition within your industry,
competition for talent from outside your actions that would most effectively SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
industry, etc.) stimulate the supply of qualified of an application for an exempted
2. Are there specific educational workers for the semiconductor industry fishing permit (EFP) from the NMFS
levels that are needed for your current in the near term (e.g., targeted Panama City, FL laboratory. If granted,
workforce? scholarships including internships/ the EFP would authorize NMFS or
a. Are there some educational levels apprenticeships, loan repayment NMFS contracted commercial fishers
where it is harder to find qualified staff? incentives, procurement of specialized aboard their commercial fishing vessels
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM 16JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_32978/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-07-14 00:53:54
Document Modified: 2018-07-14 00:53:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; Request for Information (RFI). | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 15, 2018. Written comments in response to this RFI should be submitted | |
| Contact | For questions about this FRN contact: Jason Boehm or David Seiler, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, at 301-975-8678 or 301-975-2074. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 32842 |
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