ACC granted $7.5 million for semiconductor training program

Austin Community College received a $7.5 million grant to help fund and expand its semiconductor program.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Community College received a $7.5 million grant to help fund and expand its semiconductor program.

ACC got $7.5 million from a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant.

According to a release from ACC, the grant was awarded to ACC’s partners in the Semiconductor Training Center, the University of Texas at Austin (UT) and the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE). 

UT and TIE distributed funds to partners in the program, and gave ACC funds to expand existing training programs and develop new ones to support their work. 

According to the release, ACC is the only community college out of 18 partnering academic institution, adding the selection came because of its "robust suite of course offerings and advanced training in semiconductor manufacturing."

The grant brings the total funds UT and TIE have awarded ACC to $11.25 million. 

As part of the partnership, ACC will deliver its semiconductor workforce training programs to support the work of the DARPA grant.

ACC recently developed the Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start (STARS) curriculum as a way for students to work and also obtain college credit simultaneously.

The first training programs through the college's semiconductor training center are expected to launch as early as January 2025.

“I’m immensely proud of the work happening at ACC to support the semiconductor industry in our community. Our education and training programs are directly connecting students with employers. It’s an honor to know that UT and TIE entrust ACC with these funds to continue building on our curriculum,” ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart said. “The work that is happening is helping ensure our training aligns directly to the workforce needs here in Central Texas.”