
Choose a Trade
Semiconductor Engineering
Choose Your Pathway to a High-Demand Career
Whether you join our no-fees, one-year apprenticeship certificate program, look for short-term skills training in semiconductor industry, or start taking for credit classes toward a two-year Semiconductor Engineering or Engineering AS degree, our program equips students with skills for the much needed semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Semiconductor Processing Technician Apprenticeship Pathway
Join our 12-month, 15-unit apprenticeship Certificate of Achievement program to gain hands-on foundational knowledge and skills necessary for safely and efficiently moving wafers through the semiconductor processing stages in a cleanroom work environment.
The program offers apprentices zero tuition and provides full-time employment opportunities as semiconductor processing technicians, along with a livable wage and comprehensive benefits while they complete their 12-month training.
Follow These Steps
- Apply with Work2Future — Add email and get connected to job openings associated with this program
- Submit applicaton to employer
- Pending for interview and hiring
- Apply to Foothill College
- Register for classes
- Quarter 1: Math 40A Quantitative Reasoning, 5 units, with an option to take Math 240A as a co-requisite, 2-unit support course
- Quarter 2: ENGR 61A Introduction to Semiconductor Process Technicican, 5 units
- Quarter 3: ENGR 101A Advanced Manufacturing, 5 units
- Upon completion of the Semiconductor Processing Technician Apprenticeship program, graduates are leigible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in Semiconductor Processing Technician from Foothill College and Certificate of Completion from the Division of Industrial Relations.
Short-Term Certificate Trainings to Semiconductor Engineering and Engineering Degrees
All certificate and degree pathways in Semiconductor are open to ALL students interested in either preparing for a semiconductor processing technician position at a semiconductor company and/or pursuing certificate training that leads to an associate degree in Semiconductor Engineering or Engineering at Foothill College. Participation in an apprenticeship program is optional.
Certificate of Achievement in Semiconductor Processing Technician
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- Math 40A Quantitative Reasoning, 5 units and Math 240A, a 2-unit co-requisite support course
- ENGR 61A Introduction to Semiconductor Process Technicican, 5 units
- ENGR 101A Advanced Manufacturing, 5 units
Certificate of Achievement in Vacumm Systems - Coming Soon!
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- CHEM 25 Fundamentals of Chemistry, 5 units (Prerequisite for ENGR 61B)
- ENGR 61B Vacuum System, 5 units
- ENGR 10 Introduction to Engineering, 5 units
Note: Earn Certificate of Achievement, with eligibility to work as a Semiconductor Prcoessing Technician with specialized knowledge of Vacuum Systems
Searchable Class Schedule
view degrees and certificates information AND REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: Engineering Semiconductor, AS, is expected to be added to course catalog sometime in Winter 2026.
Working with Business Partners
- The SEMI Foundation
- Santa Clara-based Applied Materials
- San Jose-based Nokia
- Fremont-based Western Digital
- U.S. Department of Labor, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards
- NOVAworks
- Work2Future
Program Background
Meeting the Need for Semiconductor Manufacturing Training in the Bay Area and United State
In 2022, Congress signed into law the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act.
In response, Foothill College began developing curriculum for a Semiconductor Processing Technician apprenticeship program — in collaboration with the following partners.
Our business partners worked jointly throughout 2023 to register the program with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards—establishing the first registered semiconductor apprenticeship program in both California and the nation.
In Fall 2023, Foothill College and its employer partners proudly welcomed the first cohort of Semiconductor Processing Technician apprentices. Congratulations to all our students who completed the program.
Gainful Employment Disclosures

Chris Allen, Dean of Apprenticeship Programs & Strategic Partnerships Email: allenchris@foothill.edu |
Phuong Tran, Grant Monitor Phone: 408.745.8018 Email: tranphuong@foothill.edu |
Karen Oeh, Apprenticeship Programs Coordinator Phone: 408.745.8021 Email: oehkaren@fhda.edu |