SkyWater Technology Foundry Scholarship: Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
Semiconductors are the bedrock of modern technology, underpinning critical applications from life-saving medical devices to automotive safety systems, consumer electronics, and national security infrastructure. The semiconductor industry's continued success hinges on a robust talent pipeline, with an estimated need for approximately 250,000 workers, including 50,000 engineers, within the next five years. Recognizing this demand, SkyWater Technology is committed to fostering educational opportunities and nurturing the next generation of semiconductor professionals through initiatives like the SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program.
Addressing the Semiconductor Talent Gap
The projected shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry poses a significant challenge. SkyWater Technology is actively addressing this gap through various programs designed to attract, train, and retain talent.
One such initiative is the Embedded Rotational Program, which provides recent graduates with hands-on experience in a semiconductor fab environment. For example, a recent mechanical engineering graduate spent six months at SkyWater Florida, working on a metrology tool and documenting the hybrid bonding process. The embedded engineer created a database that keeps track of where lots are located, upcoming steps, and the data and recipes used. This work significantly contributed to the development of SkyWater's hybrid wafer bonding technology and the definition of the technology transfer process. This cooperative effort increases learning exponentially and plants the seeds needed to bring a new technology to market.
SkyWater also actively collaborates with local educational institutions to raise awareness about career opportunities in the semiconductor industry. SkyWater representatives participate in college and university events, offering tours of their facilities to business and community leaders, college staff, university staff, and students. These efforts aim to dispel misconceptions about the industry and highlight the potential for fulfilling careers in the field. Professors and students have expressed a desire to remain in Florida for semiconductor industry jobs.
Experiential Education Through Internships and Co-ops
SkyWater internships and co-ops offer an experiential education - with a chance step into the realm of professional work in a semiconductor fab in Florida. SkyWater provides students with invaluable experiential education opportunities through internships and co-op programs. These programs allow students to step into the professional world of semiconductor fabrication, gaining practical skills and insights into the industry.
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Larry states, “There has not been a fab in Central Florida for 15 years, so many residents don’t know who we are or what we do,” states Larry. “That’s one reason we bring business and community leaders, and college/university staff and students onsite to tour the campus. We also attend college/university events. Professors and students tell us that they would prefer to stay in Florida to work in the semiconductor industry.
SkyWater has cultivated strong partnerships with local educational institutions, including Valencia Technical College and NeoCity Academy, a STEM high school located near the SkyWater Florida facility. Valencia College provides training and certification programs to students in mechatronics and robotics. SkyWater hired two Valencia graduates - Anita Scott and Cory Orr. These two graduates were well-prepared for careers in the semiconductor industry. SkyWater regularly partners with NeoCity Academy on learning projects and internships. In 2022, SkyWater hired four students for summer internships, and based on their excellent performance, these students earned three-hour-per-day co-op positions during the following school year. In 2023, SkyWater has five NeoCity Academy student interns.
Purdue University's Semiconductor Degrees Program
Purdue University has established an interdisciplinary Semiconductor Degrees Program to equip undergraduate and graduate students with essential skills for the semiconductor industry. The program covers integrated circuits, chip design, chip-manufacturing steps, chemicals, tools, materials, packaging, manufacturing and supply-chain management. SkyWater representatives present career options in the program’s introductory seminar course. The program builds on Purdue’s SCALE program, which trains undergrads to design and build semiconductors for space. Purdue is launching a new program to educate workers for SkyWater. Bhoopalam, a senior majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in electrical and computer engineering, feels that the physics, materials science, and engineering courses she has taken - combined with research lab experience fabricating thin films and solar cells - have prepared her well, and she plans to pursue a Ph.D.
The SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program
The SkyWater Foundation's Annual Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America, provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. The Oxbow Foundation provides generous support for the program. Ten recipients have been selected to receive up to $10,000 each. The scholarship application was open to students in any major or field of study. Applicants pursuing a certificate or degree in STEM - or science, technology, engineering, mathematics - were especially encouraged to apply.
Applicant eligibility included: high school graduates or current college undergraduates who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-or-four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire 2023-2024 academic year with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). Financial need is not considered. Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America.
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The SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program is helping students like Jason Zheng, a first-generation student currently attending Binghamton University, who is pursuing a computer science career. The SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program is helping students like Victoria A. from Georgia pursue their goals in higher education. With $10,000 awarded to each of the 10 recipients, the students are attending a range of universities from Georgia Institute of Technology to MIT and Stanford, among others.
According to Amanda Daniel, SkyWater’s chief people officer, “The scholarships awarded by the Foundation will help students realize their academic dreams by making their education more accessible, leading to promising career opportunities. It also contributes to the on-going effort of industry to work with institutions in support of domestic workforce development.
“The board of the Oxbow Foundation is thrilled to be a major contributor to the SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program and to witness the transformative impact it has on students like Victoria,” said Oxbow Foundation director, Julia Unterseher. Added director Elise Unterseher, “The Oxbow Foundation is proud to contribute to the advancement of STEM education and the development of future leaders in the semiconductor industry. The SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program makes education more accessible and aligns with our commitment to fostering education. Annually, The Oxbow Foundation expects to contribute up to $100,000 to the program for up to 10 students. The maximum annual award provided to any recipient is $10,000.
SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT) announced the selection of 10 recipients by Scholarship America to receive $10,000 each through the second annual SkyWater Foundation Scholarship Program. While the application process welcomed students from all fields, an emphasis in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) was encouraged.
Eligible applicants included high school graduates or current college undergraduates planning to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire 2024-2025 academic year, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). Selection criteria considered academic performance, leadership, extracurricular activities and a statement of educational and career goals.
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According to SkyWater’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Laura Lorenz, “SkyWater is very pleased to partner with the Oxbow Foundation to offer these scholarships. Oxbow Foundation Director, Elise Unterseher said, “The Foundation takes pride in advancing STEM education and cultivating future leaders in the semiconductor industry through our scholarship program. By making education more accessible, we align with our commitment to fostering learning.
According to one of the recipients, Emerald W., “This scholarship will allow me to begin my freshman year 100% focused on the rigorous academic schedule needed for my major, Aerospace Engineering, which I will be pursuing at Purdue's Honors College this fall. Another recipient, William S. who is studying computer engineering at George Mason University, commented, “This scholarship is helping me face the biggest obstacle I have in my college career: the financial one. Added Oxbow Foundation Director Julia Unterseher, “We are proud that there have been 20 recipients of this scholarship over two years, and we are pleased to see our program empower students in their academic and professional pursuits.
Building a Semiconductor Cluster in Central Florida
The Orlando region is experiencing rapid growth in its semiconductor industry cluster, centered around Osceola County’s NeoCity, a 500-acre technology park. NeoCity is anchored by the Center for NeoVation, a hub for research, development, and advanced packaging. A Cluster Management Organization fosters collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
SkyWater Technologies is one of the country’s only pure-play foundries that combine agile development and quality volume manufacturing with trusted IP security to enable customers efficient development of highly differentiated technologies and rapidly deliver them to market. "The Florida fab offers a complementary service model and technology platform to our Minnesota fab. SkyWater serves the growing markets of aerospace & defense, automotive, biomedical, industrial and quantum computing.
Several companies contribute to the Orlando region’s semiconductor cluster:
- AAA Engineering & Test Lab is a premier ISO/IEC 17025 accredited AS6081/AS6171 electronic component test lab, proudly certified to ISO9001/AS9100, ANSI ESD20.20, and registered with ITAR.
- BRIDG is a versatile boutique microelectronics fabrication facility with 200mm (8-inch) wafer fab capabilities.
- Chronos Photonics designs unique solutions for precision manufacturing and metrology.
- Emisha is a company that specializes in developing and implementing innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses of your company. Welcome to the future of technology with Emisha Innovations!
- FSI’s Mission is to lead, advise, coordinate Florida in matters on semiconductors, accelerate R&D and lab-to-fab transitions, build private public partnerships, help create new Jobs, and make Florida an attractive for Investments.
- IC2 offers a variety of MEMS sensors, data acquisition systems, and other instrumentation solutions for the global test and measurement community.
- Imec is a world-leading R&D organization for nanoelectronics and digital technologies.
- Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) each have major operations in the Orlando region, employing a workforce of more than 14,000.
- Mattrix Technologies is a semiconductor start-up bringing advanced manufacturing of flat-panel displays back to the USA.
- Micross is the most complete provider of advanced microelectronic services and component, die and wafer solutions.
- Multicore Technologies develops fiber optic sensors for industrial applications at a price point that is competitive with electrical-based sensors.
- NanoSpective is an advanced materials characterization company.
- PMI is a semiconductor design company with a valuable semiconductor chip patent portfolio.
- PICAdvanced is an international company headquartered in Portugal - est.
- Plug and Play is a global innovation platform and startup accelerator.
- QuantumSilicon (QSI) clocks LLC is developing position-navigation-timing technology based on quantum processes in silicon.
- A global leader in energy technology.
- Silicon Assurance develops software to address security issues in silicon chips designed by semiconductor companies and system OEMs.
- Smart Radar System is a worldwide leader in 4D radar for automotive and smart city applications.
- Supply Lock A.I. specialize in stabilizing your supply chain and securing critical resources to keep your business running smoothly.
- provides electronic design automation software products used to design and test integrated circuits.
- Valencia College is an innovative leader in higher education with a reputation for student success.
- Since 2004, Vortex Aerospace Design & Labs (VADL) validates MPW designs, offering full support from layout to TapeOut.
NeoCity: A Hub for Innovation
NeoCity is a technology district in Osceola County, Florida, inspired by an ethos of collaboration and designed to transform the way we ideate, create, and innovate. NeoCity’s master plan is designed to create a smart-city that will bring high technology jobs and diversify our economy. NeoCity is designed to expand Osceola’s economy and still respect the fact that the current economy is directly linked to Central Florida’s tourism as Walt Disney World retains its status as the region’s largest employer. The NeoCity Master Plan brings the design, economic development, and job creation efforts of Osceola County into sharp focus. It galvanizes planning efforts of County-owned land between Kissimmee and St. Cloud, on the edge of Lake Toho.
UpSkill Osceola is a regional, skills-based talent strategy driving a pathway to Broad-based Prosperity®. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) officially awarded the Orlando region $50.8 as one of 21 recipients of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). National Science Foundation (NSF). The Center for NeoVation is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing research centers in the western hemisphere. Main Cleanroom operating at Class 100.
SkyWater's Role in Trusted and Assured Microelectronics
The State-of-the-Art Heterogenous Integrated Packaging (under the Department of Defense’s Trusted & Assured Microelectronics Program) develops sustainable models for DOD access to State of The Art, or SOTA, packaging leveraging commercial fabrication lines, such as SkyWater.
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