Oregon is seeing an infusion of federal dollars to help revitalize its semiconductor industry

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — From the White House to Oregon: the Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su toured a Portland Community College campus Friday on a mission to observe the semiconductor workforce and engage in discussion about the industry.

She was joined by U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, with the pair visiting both the PCC Willow Creek campus in Hillsboro and the NECA IBEW Training Center in Portland.

This all comes in the wake of new federal funding intended to jumpstart the semiconductor industry in Oregon through the CHIPS and Science Acts, which officials said is expected to create tens of thousands of family-wage jobs in the workforce.

The industry in Oregon has been struggling as of late, with big employers like Nike and Columbia Sportswear laying off workers. Intel also had several rounds of layoffs across the country last year, though the technology company managed to hold off on any such job cuts in Oregon.

Secretary Su and Congresswoman Bonamici heard from students in PCC’s Quick Start and apprenticeship programs that have high school students already working for large advanced manufacturers like Intel.

Some of the CHIPS Act funding has already made it to Oregon, with $72 million going to Microchip Technology Inc. last month to expand their facility in Gresham and add 300 jobs. However, between then and now, The Oregonian reports that Microchip has furloughed workers and cut pay for others amid sales declines.

Microchip doesn’t expect that to derail its expansion. However, the question remains: How will the federal government help the people who will work for these companies?

KOIN 6 News asked Secretary Su how she would ensure that the grants of billions of dollars would actually make it to the workers.

“So when federal dollars go out, what we incentivize reflects the values of the country. That’s why we tie to the dollars that go out, job quality, making sure that we’re creating good jobs,” Su said.

“As partners as conveners, as collaborators, we are critical to that economic and social mobility we strive to have for everyone,” added PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings.

Secretary Su said she wants to support equity to go along with federal support for the industry. She also drove home the need to expand and speed up the programs for the semiconductor industry so people are ready for the jobs that may come when more federal grants come, with Su underscoring PCC as a good example.

“We need to figure out how to do all of this faster and at greater scale. Once the jobs are available, it’s too late to start the training programs,” Su said.

With PCC’s Quick Start and apprenticeship programs focusing on providing opportunities for women and people of color, it’s already made a difference for one former student who is now on a career path she once thought unimaginable. 

“I was laid off in 2020. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life,” said Patty Mfoloe, a PCC Quick Start program graduate. “I now work at Intel, I’ve been there for a year. If you had told me five years ago that I would be doing what I’m doing now, I would’ve been like, ‘That is not going to happen.’”

Secretary Su said it’s important to keep job opportunities open for everyone, including encouraging employers to invest in helping with childcare and transportation being a key component.