New 2026 Semiconductor Manufacturing CTE Standards

We’re excited to celebrate a major milestone for Arizona’s workforce development system: the Arizona Department of Education has officially released new CTE Technical Standards for Semiconductor Manufacturing!

Arizona now has clear standards to help prepare high school students for semiconductor manufacturing careers. The new standards establish core competencies in areas including cleanroom safety, vacuum systems, electronics, chemistry, and automated fabrication—helping educators align curriculum with industry needs and creating stronger pathways into Arizona’s high-wage, high-demand semiconductor industry.

Key Highlights of New Standards:

• Core Technical Competencies: Students will gain foundational knowledge and practical skills in cleanroom safety & protocols, vacuum systems, applied electronics, microelectronics chemistry, and automated fabrication processes.

• Seamless Pathways: Designed to align directly with community college degree programs, university tech pathways, and Registered Apprenticeships (such as TSMC’s Technician Apprenticeship Program).

• Statewide Alignment: Allows high schools and Career Technical Education Districts (CTEDs) across all 15 Arizona counties to adopt a uniform, high-quality curriculum that directly meets real-world employer needs.

This achievement reflects the collaborative work of industry, education, and workforce partners across Arizona, including AG Semiconductor Services, Amkor Technology, Broadcom, Lawrence Semiconductor, Microchip Technology,NXP Semiconductors,SEMI, TechSmart Learning Fund, and TSMC, as well as the many leaders who helped shape this work: Anissa Hamdon-Morison, Azra Baab, Emerald Greig, Hani Ahmad-Assi, Johnnie Cain, Kevin Imes, Melissa Stinson-Borg, Mindy L. Corcoran M.S., Pearl Chang Esau 張其瑀 EMGM, Ryan Brown, Terri Ziegler, Tim Taylor, Kevin Imes, and Tracy Rexroat.

And a special shout-out to Judy Balogh for her leadership in advancing this important initiative!

We look forward to continued partnerships that help move important efforts like this forward and strengthen Arizona’s homegrown talent pipelines.

You can review the complete 2026 Semiconductor Manufacturing Standards here: CTE Standards Semiconductor Manufacturing - 15.0616.00