Daniel is working full time as an equipment technician making a competitive wage at Seagate this summer – the first step on a promising career path for the 24-year-old.
Daniel graduated in late June from Hired’s inaugural Semiconductor Career Pathways Program, which is the result of an innovative collaboration between Hired, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); employer partners Polar Semiconductor, Seagate Technology, and Skywater Technology; and educational partner Normandale Community College.
Daniel was working at a restaurant when he found the Drive for 5-funded Semiconductor Training Program opportunity posted on the CareerForce.MN.gov Training Program Finder. He knew right away the program would be a great way for him to gain the skills and experience he needs to pursue his plan of becoming a robotics engineer.
“I’m very, very thankful to the State of Minnesota, I really feel like they were investing in semiconductor field...and it’s great to see investment in young adults to help them access these opportunities. I hope this continues,” said Daniel. “I learned and grew in professionalism from the guidance of Hired and working in an innovative company such as Seagate. Working and contributing towards a career path in the semiconductor industry helped me align my goals and ambitions in my career.”
A Drive for Five grant from DEED made this unique “earn while you learn” opportunity possible for Daniel and 15 fellow graduates. The students all completed a pre-apprenticeship program during which they worked in a clean room at one of three semiconductor manufacturers, Polar Semiconductor, Seagate or Skywater, while completing coursework to earn 12 college credits through Normandale. The “classroom” component of the apprenticeship was held online during the workday while the students were at their worksites - sometimes Normandale instructors were even on site at the employer locations, providing support to the students and reinforcing the hands-on lessons they learned every day at work.
“It was very nice because our class was integrated into our workday in a conference room at Seagate two hours a day,” said Daniel. “The daily hands-on work experience also really helped me understand what it is like to work as a technician.”
This earn while you learn aspect of the program made pursuing this career path possible to students who would have otherwise needed to choose between working or learning these in-demand manufacturing skills. Hired also provided students with work readiness training, career navigation services and support services.
Chan was Daniel’s Navigator at Hired. Daniel and other students got the support they needed from their Navigator – whether academic guidance or logistical assistance. That assistance included help paying for car repairs or gas cards to defray the cost of fuel for students who had a long commute to their worksite, like Daniel who lives in the northeast metro and had a daily commute to Seagate in Bloomington.
“Chan was/is a great mentor and was always there to lend a hand, counsel or direction, while we balanced school and full-time work,” said Daniel of his Hired Navigator. “He was there in person, he was there financially if we needed help, if anyone was struggling in class, he was there to give us the support we needed.”
Daniel and his fellow students learned skills that are in high demand. That’s because the semiconductor industry is growing fast in Minnesota - twice as fast as employment overall in Minnesota. Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing companies added nearly 1,500 jobs in Minnesota from over the last five years – a whopping 15.8% increase – according to DEED’s Labor Market Information Office. And this employment pays well – with lots of room for career growth. Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturers employ 10,700 workers in Minnesota with average wages around $90,950 per year, which is 22.5% above the average across all industries.
“I really enjoy my job as I’m working with advanced technology, and in a thriving industry,” said Daniel about working at Seagate. “You’re constantly learning and get to see the different jobs and roles that impact and contribute to semiconductor manufacturing.”
Congratulations to Daniel and all the Drive for 5 Semiconductor Manufacturing graduates – and best wishes for a great career in this growing field!
- Read about the Hired Semiconductor Manufacturing graduation celebrating Daniel and his fellow program participants
- Find out more about the Drive for 5 Initiative
- Search FREE training programs for eligible Minnesotans on the CareerForce Training Program Finder
- Contact staff at a CareerForce local near you to learn about training programs in your area to help you prepare for in-demand employment
