Nolan Cottingham
Nolan Cottingham just left his job in the restaurant industry to follow his dream in the high-tech arena. This month, the 22-year-old started as an apprentice with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) semiconductor plant in Phoenix.
Eight process technician apprentices will take part in the two-year program through a newly formed collaboration with TSMC and Rio Salado College, Northern Arizona University. The program is sponsored by the City of Phoenix. The process technician apprentices, along with apprentices in other semiconductor areas, were introduced to one another and their company during a “signing day” ceremony on April 17. The event included Rio Salado College President Kate Smith and City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
“This partnership reflects the best of what we do — meet industry needs while helping individuals transform their lives,” said Smith. “We’re proud to support apprentices like Nolan as they step onto a pathway that leads to an in-demand career.”
Through the program, Cottingham and his fellow apprentices will take non-credit course through NAU and credit-awarding courses through Rio Salado, with the opportunity to apply those credits to a credential in the future.
“It’s one of the biggest growing industries in the world right now,” he said. “Most of the brand new technology coming out is running off of semiconductors. It’s amazing to have it here local in Phoenix and amazing that they’re hiring local Arizonans. I didn’t know it was going to be possible.”
For Cottingham, it’s another chance to try college. He previously took classes to become an EMT, but discovered quickly it wasn’t the career field for him.
“I built computers. My dad worked in tech, as well,” he said. “I always stay up-to-date with what’s coming out.”
He began following the TSMC story in 2020 and the day the apprenticeship application opened - on Nov. 3 - he applied.
Cottingham and his fellow apprentices started onboarding with TSMC the week after the signing and will continue throughout the summer in safety training before starting classes with the institutions.
“We’ve talked to your bosses and they are thrilled with this curriculum,” Rick Vaughn, Rio Salado’s Faculty Chair of STEM told the group during the event. “You’ll need to know everything going on.”
Why Semiconductors Matter in Arizona
Arizona is a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, exporting $3.9 billion in semiconductors and other electronic components in 2023. Ranked No. 2 in semiconductor manufacturing employment, the industry requires a workforce with post-secondary credentials. To support the sector, Rio Salado offers a CCL in Introduction to Semiconductor Manufacturing and a CCL in Semiconductor Manufacturing. Both CCLs are stackable to an associates degree pathway.
By 2030, the workforce is expected to increase by nearly 115,000 jobs, with the top 10% earning an average of $96,700 per year.
Interested in learning more about how Rio Salado College is shaping Arizona’s future semiconductor workforce? Watch President Kate Smith discuss the importance of workforce innovation and education partnerships in the Presidents Forum podcast.
"It’s about creating real pathways for students that lead directly to meaningful, high-demand careers," noted President Kate Smith during the Presidents Forum podcast.