It's an old saying, but it's true: Teamwork makes the dream work. Nowhere is that more apparent than in TSMC Arizona's deep commitment to bolstering the United States' place in the semiconductor race. From joining forces with government officials to co-creating programming with schools on the ground, the company has gone all in on collaboration.
In fact, the potential to collaborate was one of the things that drew the semiconductor giant to Phoenix, where it is quickly growing its presence and impact on the local economy. "One of the top considerations in TSMC's decision to expand here was the opportunity to tap a local and diverse talent pipeline and also to collaborate with a world-class U.S. education system. Our first-of-its-kind program for semiconductor technicians represents what's possible when government, industry and education come together. We are deeply committed to creating job opportunities for local Arizonans," says Rose Castaneres, president of TSMC Arizona.
The city was also excited about the potential of working with TSMC Arizona. "The semiconductor industry has created opportunities for countless Arizonans to gain access to good-paying, stable jobs," said Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs. "With strong partners like TSMC, Arizona has been a leader in synchronizing our workforce efforts and investing in training that meets private sector needs and targets key industries powering our economy, and today's announcement is a continuation of our commitment to connecting Arizonans to the jobs of the future."
TSMC Arizona Hearts Phoenix
In early 2020, TSMC Arizona announced that it would invest in the American semiconductor industry to the tune of $12 billion earmarked to build a semiconductor fabrication plant in Phoenix. Today, that commitment has grown to $65 billion as the industry leader builds three advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities on its 1,129-acre campus in the northern part of the Arizona city. It's one of the largest foreign direct investments in a greenfield project in the history of the United States—and it wouldn't exist without a deep commitment to partnership with officials at all levels of government, from local to federal.
In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $6.6 billion grant for TSMC Arizona, which supports the expanded build in the short term and will help the United States become a leader in the production of the most advanced semiconductor chips in the world in the long term. The grant is via the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation designed to fund investments in innovative technologies.
"No piece of legislation has fundamentally altered the fabric of the valley's economy more than President Joe Biden's CHIPS and Science Act. The Biden administration—led in a big way by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo—has accelerated and augmented the impact of once-in-a-generation investments in Phoenix, taking U.S. semiconductor manufacturing to new heights," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego wrote in a recent op-ed.
An economic analysis from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council found that TSMC Arizona's investment will create 20,000-plus unique construction jobs. And when all three fabs are running at full capacity by 2030, the company expects to employ 6,000 people—a major boost in the nation's efforts to stake its claim in the semiconductor space.
Training Apprentices
TSMC Arizona's commitment to Phoenix extends beyond building its fabs in the city to creating programs to fill them with new workers. In May 2024, it launched a pilot program for facilities technicians, which was the first of its kind in the U.S. market. Six months later, it announced the expansion of the technician apprenticeship program, adding additional training tracts, all designed to grow the next generation of semiconductor industry technicians. The first cohort of apprentices split their time between taking courses at Estrella Mountain Community College and working at TSMC Arizona's first fab, which opened its doors in early 2024.
However, TSMC Arizona isn't running the $5 million program alone; it has partnered with the Arizona Commerce Authority, the United States Department of Commerce, and the city of Phoenix to help create new pathways to highly skilled work.
"The semiconductor industry has created opportunities for countless Arizonans to gain access to good-paying, stable jobs. Today, we are making that opportunity more accessible by creating new pathways into this growing, high-tech sector through robust new apprenticeship programs," Hobbs said. "With strong partners like TSMC, Arizona has been a leader in synchronizing our workforce efforts and investing in training that meets private sector needs and target key industries powering our economy, and today's announcement is a continuation of our commitment to connecting Arizonans to the jobs of the future."
Uniting with Academia
TSMC Arizona has also partnered with colleges and universities around the country to recruit interns and give them hands-on experience in the semiconductor field. The company welcomed its first cohort of 130 interns in May 2024. They represented 22 majors and 40 universities across the nation, and they all spent 10 weeks immersing themselves in the work at semiconductor fabs. Those in technical roles also enjoyed a technical development program, where executives and senior engineers acted as mentors and teachers, sharing the insight the students need to thrive.
Starting in January 2025, TSMC Arizona conducted a United States university recruiting tour, traveling to 13 colleges to connect with potential interns to fill both technical and nontechnical roles, supporting departments as wide-ranging as material management, finance, and legal.
Some schools enjoy a special relationship with TSMC Arizona. In 2023, the company signed a partnership agreement with Arizona State University, formalizing the union with an eye toward expanding capacity for courses, fellowships, and research opportunities; improving the talent pipeline to move more ASU students through the doors of the semiconductor fabs; adding more courses for non-degree-seeking professionals; and supporting faculty and student research.
"This partnership between TSMC and ASU reflects the region's dedication to fulfilling the workforce needs of the entire semiconductor ecosystem as we become an international center for the industry," says Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Building the Future
The semiconductor industry's workforce is projected to balloon by 33% by 2030, creating approximately 460,000 new jobs. With robust partnerships in place, TSMC Arizona is well-positioned to drive that growth.
"TSMC is creating invaluable opportunities for our students to access high-demand careers in the semiconductor industry," says Steven R. Gonzales, Ed.D., chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District. "With Estrella Mountain and Rio Salado providing specialized curriculum for these roles, we are proud to play a vital role in preparing a diverse and skilled workforce to meet the needs of Arizona's growing semiconductor sector."
But this progress is more than a win for the industry—it's also a win for the region. "This success will open the doors to thousands of residents for remarkable, resilient careers—careers that provide economic mobility and can unlock the doors to homeownership, top-notch higher education and opportunities that weren't within reach for many only a few years ago," wrote Gallego.
