The Dutch chip giant ASML has opened its first training facility in the US, located in Phoenix, Arizona, with the intention of meeting the growing talent demand of the domestic industry.
ASML's Newest 'Talent Academy' Will Train Engineers On Advanced Chipmaking Equipment, Right in the US
When it comes to the massive expansion of the US chip industry in recent times, one of the fundamental elements lacking is a sufficient onshore R&D resource pool, which is why firms like TSMC are eventually 'forced' to hire talent from nations like Taiwan. However, it appears that ASML plans to bridge this gap for its chipmaking equipment, as according to Reuters, the Dutch firm is opening a technical training center in Arizona, which will be responsible for training 1,000 engineers per year. This initiative will eventually become a core part of the US semiconductor industry.
I think the opening is really coming at the right time, because this boom is already happening here in Arizona, and I think next year we will see Texas, then we will see Idaho, then there will be a few more.
- ASML's CEO Christophe Fouquet
The facility will feature 14 classrooms and a cleanroom where engineers will interact with ASML's cutting-edge DUV and EUV equipment. More importantly, it will bridge the gap in talent that the American semiconductor market currently faces. While this project is currently intended for ASML's engineers, it's still a significant achievement, considering that they had to travel to Europe or other regions to acquire expertise in chipmaking equipment. The expansion of ASML into the US follows investments by firms like Intel and TSMC in the region, ultimately expanding the influence of the Dutch chipmaker's tools.
If you want to understand the complexity of EUV systems, ASML's VP Clayton Patch likens it to the F-35 fighter jet, stating that chipmaking tools require a "similar level of service." There's no doubt that the products of ASML manufacturers are the 'backbone' of the global semiconductor industry, which is why expertise around it is a key objective for the US supply chain and its scalability in the longer term. Companies like Substrate have emerged to challenge ASML's dominance with innovative methods, but for now, the Dutch chipmaker remains unrivaled.
The new facility in the US won't house High-NA EUV machines, as they will be exclusive to the Netherlands for now. Given that the adoption of this equipment type is limited to vendors like Intel and Samsung, it has yet to become mainstream.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
