ELYRIA, Ohio — Lorain County Community College President Marcia J. Ballinger will be one of 18 inaugural members on an advisory board that will guide initiatives to strengthen national semiconductor technology and its workforce by bringing together experts from higher education, industry, workforce organizations and government sectors.

As one of only two community college leaders selected for the Natcast National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Workforce Advisory Board, Ballinger will highlight the importance of certificate and two-year degree programs in building the semiconductor workforce. The advisory board will provide strategic guidance on semiconductor workforce development initiatives, focusing on growing the semiconductor workforce from the private sector, higher education, workforce development organizations, the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies, according to the release.

“Community colleges have and will continue to play a vital role in training the next generation of semiconductor talent,” Ballinger said in the release. “From accessibility and affordability to close ties to industry and programs that embed on-the-job training, community colleges level the playing field and provide opportunities for people to break into the semiconductor industry who might not otherwise.”

LCCC has been a leader in semiconductor workforce development, including in the emerging semiconductor and microelectronic manufacturing industries, since 2014. The college has launched a range of microelectronic manufacturing programs, from a short-term certificate to a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. These programs combine hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories with required on-the-job training hours, leading to strong employment outcomes for graduates.