🤖 Advanced Manufacturing #5

This week in the Advanced Manufacturing space, TSMC is expanding its US investment to $165B, marking the largest foreign direct investment in US history, with new chip fabs and an R&D hub in Arizona. ABB is investing $120M in expanding US production, creating 250 jobs, and strengthening energy-efficient infrastructure. In Oman, a new initiative will create 100 semiconductor industry jobs to meet local talent needs.

Upskilling initiatives are thriving as JCCC partners with Panasonic to train workers for a new lithium-ion battery plant, while GE Aerospace invests $1M in workforce training to expand its manufacturing capabilities. CVCC has received a $1.5M grant to develop advanced manufacturing pathways, with a focus on semiconductors and biotechnology. CGCC received a $6M grant to launch the Aerospace & Defense Future48 Workforce Accelerator, training 1,000 students annually in aerospace manufacturing. On the policy front, the NSW Government is setting ambitious manufacturing growth targets with a $377M investment, positioning the state as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.

Thanks for reading!

Not a subscriber yet?

Advanced Manufacturing Labor Market Trends

💾 TSMC Expands US Investment to $165B, Adding Chip Fabs & R&D Hub. TSMC is increasing its US investment by $100B, bringing its total commitment to $165B—the largest foreign direct investment in US history. The expansion includes three new chip fabs, two packaging facilities, and an R&D center in Arizona, creating 40,000 high-tech jobs. Supported by a $6.6B CHIPS Act grant, TSMC began 4nm chip production in January, with plans for 2nm chips by the end of the decade, reinforcing US semiconductor leadership.

⚡ ABB Invests $120M to Expand US Manufacturing, Creating 250 Jobs.  ABB is investing $120M to expand the production of low-voltage electrification products in the US, supporting growth in data centers and utilities. The company will build a new $80M facility in Selmer, TN, adding 50 jobs, and double its Senatobia, MS, site with a $40M investment, creating 200 jobs. With over $500M invested in the US in three years, ABB continues to strengthen domestic manufacturing and energy-efficient infrastructure.

💡 Oman to Create 100 Jobs in Semiconductor Industry. Oman’s Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Transport, Communications & IT have partnered with GSME Oman to boost national talent in semiconductor technology. In alignment with Oman Vision 2040, the initiative will create 100 job opportunities, with 50 initial positions at GSME Oman and potential expansion through private sector firms. The program focuses on equipping Omani job seekers with critical skills for semiconductor applications and fostering private-sector employment.

Female Representation is Worse at Higher Levels of Seniority

👩 Female representation declines sharply with seniority, falling from 52.7% at entry levels to just 24.1% in C-suite roles for non-STEM fields. 

📉 While STEM roles see an even steeper drop from 28.9% to 12.0%, highlighting structural barriers in career progression.

↔️ The gender gap is significantly wider in STEM, where representation remains below 30% at all seniority levels, compared to non-STEM fields, where women hold a near-equal share at entry level but gradually decline in higher positions.

📉 The largest disparity emerges at the Vice President level, where non-STEM roles maintain 25.1% female representation, while STEM roles drop to just 16.6%, underscoring the pronounced leadership gap in technical fields.👩‍💼 Women in STEM experience the lowest representation at the executive level, with only 12.0% in C-suite positions, reinforcing the persistent challenge of leadership accessibility despite ongoing efforts to promote diversity in STEM careers.

Upskilling/Reskilling Initiatives

🔧 JCCC & Panasonic Partner on Workforce Training. JCCC is teaming up with Panasonic Energy to train employees for its new lithium-ion battery plant in De Soto, Kansas—the state’s largest economic project. Starting this month, Panasonic’s first cohort will complete eight weeks of training at JCCC before on-the-job instruction. Over 200 workers will be trained annually. JCCC also offers an Automation Engineer Technology (AET) degree and a one-year certificate program launching in late 2025 for advanced manufacturing careers.

✈️ GE Aerospace Invests $1M in Workforce Training. GE Aerospace is investing $1M to expand the Advanced Manufacturing Training Expansion Program (AMTEP) in Lynn, ensuring its continuation through 2027. The program has already trained 600+ individuals with an 83% job placement rate and helps graduates earn 25% more per hour than in previous jobs. This investment will support student and adult training in precision machining, expand employer partnerships, and strengthen the local manufacturing workforce.

🏭 CVCC Awarded $1.5M Grant to Boost Workforce Development. Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) has received $1.5M from the US Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Grant to expand Advanced Manufacturing pathways. The funding will support partnerships with regional employers like Framatome, Delta Star, and BWXT to meet the demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. The program will offer upskilling and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, along with state-of-the-art training equipment.

✈️ CGCC Awarded $6M Grant for Aerospace Workforce Accelerator. Chandler-Gilbert Community College received a $6M grant to create the Aerospace & Defense Future48 Workforce Accelerator at its Williams campus. The facility, in partnership with Boeing and Honeywell Aerospace, will provide hands-on training in aerospace and defense manufacturing. The program aims to support nearly 1,000 students annually, preparing them for high-demand careers in aviation mechanics and related fields.

Policy Initiatives

🏛️ NSW Government Unveils Ambitious Manufacturing Targets. The NSW Government’s new Industry Policy has established goals to drive local manufacturing growth, including achieving real value-added growth by 2031, surpassing state GDP growth by 2040, and hitting 50% local content in transport by 2035. With a $377 million investment in advanced technologies, the policy aims to strengthen supply chains, enhance global competitiveness, and position NSW as a leader in high-tech, sustainable manufacturing.

Like getting this newsletter? Request a demo for unlimited access to over one million charts

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com