A new grant from the Orange County Business Council will support a Cal State Fullerton workforce training program to prepare students for careers in the semiconductor industry.
The project will engage CSUF undergraduates and high school students in paid internships, research boot camps and hands-on learning experiences to build skills in chip design and entrepreneurship.
For the “Early Research Experience for Undergraduates in Semiconductor Technology and Entrepreneurship” project, the university is receiving a nearly $80,000 grant, made possible through the California Jobs First initiative.
“The project responds to regional workforce shortages and employer needs by offering a structured continuum of training,” said Kenneth John Faller II, professor of electrical and computer engineering, who is directing the project.
Kiran George, associate dean for graduate programs, faculty research and innovation at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Rakesh Mahto, professor of electrical and computer engineering, are also part of the project team.
The team is partnering with the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County, a coalition of local CEOs and industry collaborators, to expand access to high-wage technology careers.
“By working with the Orange County Business Council and CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County, our students are plugged directly into the region’s semiconductor ecosystem instead of watching from the sidelines,” said George, professor of electrical and computer engineering.
“Our courses, early research projects and internships provide the skills local employers are seeking. For students, that means their early research experience isn’t just a lab assignment — it’s a clear pathway into jobs in areas like chip design and related fields.”
George added that the project also connects to the college’s ECS Innovation Hub, which is under construction and will offer high-tech research clusters and hands-on labs.
“Semiconductors are the backbone for almost everything that will be happening in these lab spaces,” George said.
“The ECS Innovation Hub will give Orange County Business Council partners a home base on campus, where they can meet with students, mentor teams, sponsor challenge projects and see firsthand how the future workforce is being developed.”
Semiconductors are used in electronics, including devices like smartphones and computers. The semiconductor sector is a vital industry in California, with an increasing presence in Orange County, according to California Jobs First.
The project will involve the college’s students through structured programs and activities, including a summer undergraduate research boot camp scheduled to begin next year. Students will participate in research focused on semiconductor design, verification — checking the design before the product is manufactured — and fabrication using industry-standard tools.
Students will also be hired as paid research assistants to support chip design projects, data analysis and the coordination of symposiums with industry experts and academics.
Other activities include connecting students with industry partners, such as Skyworks Solutions Inc. and Microchip Technology, where they will gain exposure to real-world design and fabrication workflows.
“Industry collaboration ensures alignment with emerging semiconductor technologies and hiring needs,” Faller said.
George said that partnering with industry is crucial in building clear pathways for internships and summer research opportunities.
“It ensures that internships line up with Orange County’s priorities in semiconductor technology — and helps students move smoothly from the classroom and lab into well-paying, in-demand careers.”