DURHAM – Wolfspeed will receive community college training support to help build a workforce of more than 1,800 to man its future semiconductor plant in Chatham County. Another partner will be North Carolina A&T.
Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe said that it’s opening up new opportunities at their plant for both undergraduate and graduate NC A&T students.
“The two entities aim to establish comprehensive education and training curricula and cutting-edge research and innovation programs,” Durham based Wolfspeed announced Friday as part of the new plant commitment.
“This partnership will open opportunities for undergraduate and graduate credentials in Silicon Carbide semiconductor manufacturing, as well as training and career advancement programs for existing semiconductor manufacturing workers.”
Lowe said that investing in NC A&T will ensure that they have diverse talent within the industry for years to come.
“We’ve been very intentional about adding NC A&T to our intern classes for the last few years,” Lowe said.
Lowe said this year Wolfspeed sponsored four minority engineer students and supported them through their internship.
In 2020 Wolfspeed committed $4 million over five years to launch its educational and training program with NC A&T. It’s called the Wolfspeed Endowed Scholars Program.
“North Carolina A&T is proud to partner with Wolfspeed to provide new opportunities to pursue the next generation of careers in the green economy, drive innovation and explore new possibilities,” said N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr., in a statement. “Throughout our rich history as a doctoral, land-grant university and the largest historically Black university in the country, we have believed in the power of our students to change the world. Our expanded partnership with Wolfspeed will allow us to change the world together, and I am incredibly excited for what is to come.”
Wolfspeed announces $5 billion investment in Chatham County, largest in NC history
