Florida is positioning itself as a leading center for semiconductor innovation, according to government, industry, and academic leaders who gathered at the first Florida Semiconductor Engine Conference in Kissimmee on August 28. The event drew more than 250 participants and focused on building momentum for the state’s advanced semiconductor packaging industry.
“This conference is more than a singular event,’’ said Ron Piccolo, interim CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine. “It is the continuation of strategic, bold, and coordinated efforts that will shape the future of semiconductor technology in Florida, the U.S., and around the world.”
The Florida Semiconductor Engine consortium is headquartered at NeoCity in Osceola County. It could receive up to $160 million over ten years to support growth in advanced semiconductor packaging. Osceola County has already received $50.8 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge in 2022 and may get up to $289 million from the Department of Defense for microchip production and workforce development.
Conference panels discussed workforce needs and education pipelines while bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development organizations. There was particular emphasis on advanced packaging technologies that enable complex applications beyond those found in standard consumer electronics.
Florida ranks third among states for semiconductor establishments and fifth for employment in this sector with more than 18,000 jobs statewide. Nationally, efforts are underway to bring more semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States—a trend expected to generate billions of dollars in investment and hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
“We are in the perfect position, I’d argue, and the best position of any state in the nation to be able to go out and attract those jobs,” said Jason Mahon, Deputy Secretary at Florida Commerce. He noted that over four years, Florida has invested $380 million into workforce education related to semiconductors.
Paul Sohl, CEO of Florida High Tech Corridor, led a panel on developing talent for this sector alongside University of Central Florida President Alexander N. Cartwright; Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske; University of South Florida Vice President Sylvia Wilson Thomas; and David Arnold from University of Florida’s Florida Semiconductor Institute—all members of an NSF-backed coalition.
Valencia College recently launched an associate degree program in Semiconductor Engineering Technology developed with employer input such as SkyWater Technology. The program aims to train technicians primarily at NeoCity. “Give us 15 weeks — and we can help you earn an industry certification that will land you a full-time job with benefits,” Plinske said.
Cartwright explained that UCF has grown its engineering enrollment from 12,000 to 17,000 students with plans for further expansion: “UCF was founded as a startup with a mission to provide workforce, and that’s the mindset we need to expand across Florida,” he said.
Sylvia Wilson Thomas pointed out that semiconductors are critical not only technologically but also socially: “When we talk about AI, what is the underlying technology behind it? It’s semiconductors,” she said. “Helping society understand that research in this field directly impacts health, transportation, and communication is critical and commercialization is how we turn that into real impact.”
Arnold highlighted collaboration between universities through initiatives like Lab Link at the Florida Semiconductor Institute: “We challenge these teams of students to come up with an idea that came out of (their) conversations,” he said. “Our goal is to try to fund these as collaborative inter-institutional research partnerships.”
Ron Piccolo emphasized broader ambitions: “We have a mission to transform the U.S. semiconductor industry through collaborative research… Now these are not small ambitions… If this were to happen… It will only happen by visionary leadership.”
Don Fisher from Osceola County discussed long-term regional investment: “We have been in this development process since 2014… In past 36 months we have received over $500 million in investment… So if you are wondering if you did something well — you want affirmation—the federal government is telling us you did right thing…”
Jason Mahon reiterated state-level commitment: “About four years ago… We recognize it would be really important from both a national security perspective and a lot opportunity for state… At state level we’ve invested $380 million into workforce education side… Obviously you build facilities… but if you don’t have people who are going work them we’re not actually going go anywhere.”
More information about the Florida Semiconductor Engine or Cenfluence’s semiconductor cluster can be found online.
