Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor has received nearly $2 million in grants to advance Michigan’s mobility sector through semiconductor and battery education and training.
The funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) will support new associate degree and certificate programs designed to create pathways to in-demand careers and transfers to institutions such as the University of Michigan.
“WCC is proud to support Michigan’s mobility workforce through education and training,” says Rose B. Bellanca, president of WCC. “Thanks to the MEDC, these new semiconductor and battery programs will prepare students for successful and exciting careers in this growing, high-demand job area.”
The college’s board of trustees recently approved a new associate degree and an advanced certificate. These programs also must be approved by the Higher Learning Commission.
The new programs are:
An Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology (60 credits) will offer two concentrations – Semiconductor and Battery Manufacturing, as well as Industrial Electronics – with four embedded certificates. In an increasingly connected world, this degree is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop hands-on skills for careers in high-demand fields like semiconductor and battery manufacturing, industrial electronics and robotics technology. This program aims to strengthen the local workforce, equipping it with the expertise needed to compete on a global scale.
An Advanced Certificate in Semiconductor and Battery Manufacturing (18 credits) is designed to equip students with the specialized skills required for careers in advanced manufacturing, focusing on semiconductor fabrication and battery technology. The program will provide hands-on experience in the manufacturing and maintenance practices of semiconductor and battery manufacturing.
Additionally, a short-term, non-credit training program designed to reskill incumbent workers, also will be offered.
Michigan accounts for one-fifth of the U.S. automotive industry’s semiconductor demand and is well-positioned to lead in semiconductor manufacturing.
The state’s semiconductor industry ranks among the top 10 nationally, with an 11 percent projected job growth over the next five years.
 in Ann Arbor has received nearly $2 million in grants to advance Michigan’s mobility sector through semiconductor and battery education and training.){kind=link}