REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Contract Amendment with Western Digital for Semiconductor Training and Employment Services
Report
BACKGROUND
The semiconductor industry represents an important sector in the NOVA Workforce Services (NOVA) region that impacts the local economy. Today, it faces unique challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified talent, which presents barriers for the industry to grow. The importance of expanding semiconductor manufacturing in this country has been identified by the federal Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 as pivotal to economic competitiveness and survival. In addition, increasing equitable access to employment in the high-wage semiconductor industry will ensure a diverse workforce and business ecosystem.
For many years, NOVA has been challenged to promote access for historically marginalized communities to the technology sector. It has also been challenged to support companies train their employees to move into advancement opportunities within the company. In response, NOVA contracted with Western Digital to launch an innovative program to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent in the semiconductor industry. The contract totaled $475,000 for the period of September 11, 2023, through September 10, 2024. The City Council approved this contract agreement at its August 29, 2023, meeting (RTC No. 23-0773).
The program included comprehensive employment and training for Western Digital's growing wafer fabrication facilities' operations, systems, maintenance, and process engineering areas. This entailed training cohorts for both incumbent employees and incoming employees from nontraditional backgrounds, including veterans. In addition, full-time employment was made available to participants. The program's accomplishments included training for nearly 200 Bay Area manufacturing employees with more than 90,000 training hours; developing Salute to Service, a veteran an...
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