ASU, ITF and Santander Universidades power Mexico’s semiconductor and tech-ready workforce

Collaboration delivers technical and in-demand skills to Baja California, driven by a partnership between education, philanthropy and industry.

The global semiconductor industry, which powers everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, is projected to reach nearly $1 trillion in revenues by 2030. However, this rapid growth faces a significant challenge: a severe shortage of skilled workers. 

As Mexico rapidly expands its role in the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain, it’s more urgent than ever to advance the country’s workforce and bolster its competitiveness on a global stage. The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act highlights the importance of international cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience in this sector, explicitly calling for strengthened ties between the U.S. and Mexico. Both nations are working together to address the critical workforce gap.

Recognizing this demand, Arizona State University has partnered with the Iberoamerican Technology Foundation to launch a cutting-edge program aimed at equipping university faculty in the Mexican State of Baja California with the training for the advanced skills required to lead in this high-stakes industry. 

Sponsored by Mexico’s Santander Universidades and offered in collaboration with ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, this initiative marks a pivotal step to prepare a new generation of semiconductor professionals in Mexico, focusing on key areas such as advanced packaging technology and backend design.

“The semiconductor sector represents a crucial role in technological evolution and in Mexico’s ability to attract higher levels of investment and development within the context of Nearshoring,” said Arturo Cherbowski Lask, executive director of Santander Universidades and general director of Universia México. “We are proud to be part of this alliance with ASU and ITF, supporting training that is key for fostering sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.”

“By partnering with ITF and Santander Universidades, we are fostering a deep knowledge exchange that will benefit faculty, institutions and the broader technology industry across the U.S. and Mexico,” added Marco Serrato, associate vice president at ASU’s Learning Enterprise. “This collaboration is a powerful example of how we can collectively address critical workforce needs while supporting economic growth in both regions.”

Empowering the next generation of semiconductor leaders

The program’s first cohort of 200 faculty members across Baja California emerged from a highly competitive application process, reflecting the strong demand for advanced education on semiconductor-related topics in the region. With a population of 3.8 million, the state has a young and dynamic workforce, primarily engaged in manufacturing sectors such as electronics and automotive, making it a fertile ground for nurturing semiconductor talent.

Faculty members in the program participate in a hybrid learning model, combining asynchronous coursework with live sessions led by the world-class experts from ASU’s Fulton Schools of Engineering, who are at the center of research and education for this fast-growing industry. The Fulton Schools have taken a prominent role in building the semiconductor talent pipeline, mobilizing expertise, training assets and capabilities to drive research, development and innovation focused on microelectronics development and manufacturing. 

Leveraging its extensive network, ITF also brings in industry experts to provide practical insights and hands-on experience to the learning environment. 

“We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking collaboration between ITF and ASU, which has been instrumental in shaping the future of semiconductor education in Mexico,” said Fernando Sepúlveda, chairman of the ITF. Based in the U.S., ITF is committed to revolutionizing technology education across the Ibero-American region.

“By co-designing these specialized programs with input from industry leaders like Intel, Qualcomm, Skyworks and Infineon, we are not only addressing the critical workforce development needs of the semiconductor industry but also setting a new standard for academic-industry partnerships.”

The program in Baja California is just the beginning. ASU and ITF plan to leverage lessons learned from this initial work to extend engineering and professional offerings to Jalisco, Tec de Monterrey and Chihuahua. 

“Thanks to the invaluable support from Santander Universidades and the state governments, we are poised to expand our impact across the country, reaching 400 faculty members of 50 public and private universities by the end of 2024,” Sepúlveda added.

Kyle Squires, senior vice provost of engineering, computing and technology at ASU and dean of the Fulton Schools of Engineering, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in advancing the semiconductor industry. “This initiative leverages the strengths of ASU’s engineering programs and faculty as well as ITF’s regional expertise to build a robust pipeline of talent that will drive semiconductor innovation. The combination of academic rigor and practical industry insight is key to preparing learners for the challenges of this rapidly evolving field. It’s a privilege to collaborate with ITF to increase workforce readiness on a regional scale.”

Catalyzing economic development and global competitiveness

The timing of this collaboration is particularly significant as the global semiconductor industry faces unprecedented demand. By 2030, it is projected to require over one million additional skilled workers globally, equating to more than 100,000 new jobs annually. These positions span a range of roles, from engineers and technicians to skilled tradespeople needed for manufacturing and assembly processes. 

Equipping the current and future workforce necessitates strategic collaboration across borders. This partnership between ASU and ITF aligns perfectly with the goals of the U.S. CHIPS Act, providing Mexico with the expertise and skills necessary to bolster its position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

“A stronger North American semiconductor value chain will benefit all regional downstream manufacturing industries,” shared Eugenio Marin, CEO of FUMEC (Fundación México-Estados Unidos para la Ciencia), a member of the Semiconductor Alliance Mexico that ASU and ITF founded – and a leading voice in the industry. “Workforce development is fundamental to advance on this opportunity, and ASU’s programs supporting the Mexican ecosystem will benefit the North American integration and will strengthen the skilled talent pool needed.”

Faculty in the program also participate in an ongoing community of practice that will support them in bringing this knowledge and accompanying resources to classrooms across Mexico. By connecting them with industry experts and fostering peer-to-peer learning, ASU and ITF aim to create a robust support network that extends beyond the program.

ASU’s growing impact in Mexico and Latin America

Building on the success of the initial cohort, ITF is actively expanding its semiconductor program across multiple Mexican states through 2024 and 2025. This strategic growth aligns with ASU’s broader mission to partner with Latin American institutions, fostering local economic development while enhancing global competitiveness.

ASU’s involvement in the Semiconductor Training Program of the Secretariat of Economy and Innovation (SEI) in Baja California marked a significant milestone. The program, involving 110 educators from 18 institutions, highlights the urgent need for specialized skills in semiconductor design and manufacturing—a need ASU is uniquely positioned to address. With a strong representation from Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada, this initiative is crucial for integrating Mexico into the global semiconductor supply chain.

This commitment is further evidenced by the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Semiconductors, a collaborative effort bringing together government, academia, and industry to drive innovation and research. Just last week, ASU solidified its regional impact by announcing a new engineering partnership with Tec de Monterrey, a top-tier university serving more than 90,000 students across Mexico.

Further demonstrating its dedication to cross-border collaboration, ASU participated in the “Accelerating the Semiconductor Industry in Mexico” conference on June 4, where executive vice president Maria Anguiano underscored the pivotal role of universities in talent development. Additionally, ASU’s leadership visited Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, where Anguiano inspired students with her personal journey, reinforcing the transformative power of education.

ASU’s partnership with Tecmilenio University, launched in early 2023, is another testament to its commitment to workforce development. Through Tecmilenio’s “Centro de Competencias,” ASU offers courses across a range of subjects equipping Mexico’s workforce with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

As these initiatives gain momentum, their impact will influence the entire Ibero-American region. The partnership with ITF is not just a step forward in ASU’s mission to democratize access to education — it’s a catalyst for economic development and technological innovation.

For more information or to schedule an interview with an ASU spokesperson, please contact:

Samantha Becker
Strategic Communications Advisor to the EVP
ASU’s Learning Enterprise
sam.becker@asu.edu