In a key move to inspire the next generation of innovators, X-FAB Texas has become the first SEMI member company to complete the SEMI High Tech U (HTU) Certified Partner Program (CPP), a curriculum that prepares high-school students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Under the program sponsored by the SEMI Foundation, X-FAB will independently deliver HTU programs to Lubbock area students. SEMI Foundation awarded X-FAB the certification on Friday, October 12th upon the completion of this year’s HTU program, scheduled for October 9-11, 2018.
“X-FAB’s partnership with the SEMI Foundation is an incredible opportunity for the youth in our community to access STEM curriculum and explore many types of technological careers that industries in the Lubbock area have to offer,” said Lloyd Whetzel, President and CEO of X-FAB Texas. “Our community partners – including Texas Tech University College of Engineering, LEDA, Region 17 Education Service Center and the numerous school districts across the South Plains – have all made it possible for X-FAB to offer this amazing opportunity to students.”
“The SEMI High Tech U program gives students in the area an opportunity to visit a university setting and explore some of the educational pathways to reach their future career goals,” said Jamie Perez, Director – EOC, Texas Tech University Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering. “We are pleased to partner with X-FAB and the SEMI Foundation to help provide this program to area students.”
“We value our partnership with X-FAB. Workforce readiness programs such as High Tech U help introduce students to future career opportunities that exist in the Lubbock area,” said Christine Allen, LEDA’s Director of Workforce Development & FTZ 260. We share X-FAB’s commitment to support programs of this nature, as they are a great asset to Lubbock’s future growth and continued economic strength.”
“We are delighted to partner with X-FAB in our common goal to motivate the next generation of innovators,” said Leslie Tugman, executive director of the SEMI Foundation. “X-FAB’s commitment to the HTU program helps position college-bound high school students on a track for future employment in high technology. X-FAB’s certification is a tremendous benefit for it students, the community and employers for Lubbock and the West Texas area.”
To win the certification, X-FAB delivered HTU over the past three years with guidance and instruction from SEMI. X-FAB is the first SEMI member company to receive the certification.
The nonprofit SEMI Foundation has been delivering its flagship program, SEMI High Tech U, at industry sites around the world since 2001 to emphasize the importance of STEM skills and inspire young people to pursue careers in high-technology fields. HTU students meet engineers and STEM volunteer instructors from industry for site tours and hands-on classroom activities such as etching wafers, making circuits, coding and training for professional interviews.
SEMI’s Certified Partner Program identifies organizations that provide quality training and can recruit and educate local high-school students in the value of careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Participating organizations are trained to deliver the unique SEMI curriculum with the support of volunteer instructors from the high-tech and STEM industries. SEMI High Tech U is the longest-running STEM career exploration program in the United States with documented student impact. Since inception, SEMI has reached over 8,000 high-school students in 12 states and nine countries with its award-winning program.
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About X-FAB
X-FAB is the leading analog/mixed-signal and MEMS foundry group manufacturing silicon wafers for automotive, industrial, consumer, medical and other applications. Its customers worldwide benefit from the highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular CMOS and SOI processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13 µm, and its special SiC and MEMS long-lifetime processes. X-FAB’s analog-digital integrated circuits (mixed-signal ICs), sensors and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are manufactured at six production facilities in Germany, France, Malaysia and the U.S. X-FAB employs about 4,000 people worldwide.
About SEMI
SEMI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2001 to support education and career awareness in the electronics and high-tech fields through career exploration programs and scholarships. For more information, visit www.semifoundation.org. SEMI® connects over 2,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies.
Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members prosper, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About Texas Tech University Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
The Whitacre College of Engineering is proud to educate young people to solve problems that help society through the application of math, science and ingenuity. The college plays an important role in preparing a diverse and talented workforce for the nation, as well as providing new knowledge that will drive the economic vitality of the state and the nation. We are proud of our excellent, committed faculty who enjoy the world of ideas and technology, and sharing their passion for this profession with our students. The Whitacre College of Engineering was one of the original academic areas when Texas Tech opened in 1925. Today, there are seven departments which offer 12 bachelor's, 13 master's and nine doctoral degrees as well as two graduate certificate programs. Additional information is available at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/coe/about/strategicplan/index.php.
About LEDA
The Lubbock Economic Development Alliance’s (LEDA) mission is to promote economic growth by creating high-quality jobs, investing in new capital improvements and improving Lubbock’s quality of life. LEDA accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations and individuals across the region, state and nation that help to provide organizations a business-friendly environment and a skilled, qualified workforce. Our partnerships continue to build upon an infrastructure that helps local businesses grow and foster an innovative and competitive landscape for new businesses to the area. Our industry profile continues to diversify proving that Lubbock’s economy is stable and viable. The LEDA team has expert knowledge and valuable relationships to ensure your business’ success. We have knowledgeable staff in the departments of Business Recruitment, Business Retention, Workforce Development, Marketing as well as a Foreign Trade Zone specialist. LEDA is a Texas non-profit, tax-exempt economic development corporation.
