The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022, passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, not only has provisions to boost domestic production of computer chips but also contains worker training funds and prevailing wage requirements for employers in the semiconductor industry. The bill passed the Senate July 27 and the House July 28. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other outlets.
Training Funds and Prevailing Wage Requirements Remain
The bill advanced in the Senate with approximately $400 million allocated annually over five years, starting in 2023, to the Defense Department for microelectronic research and development. Some of those funds would be dedicated to workforce training. Another $200 million would go to a separate workforce and education fund. The House version would have allocated significantly more—close to $4 billion—over five years for apprenticeship programs.
The Senate bill included some requirements to pay local prevailing wages on construction projects receiving grants to aid semiconductor development.
Training Next Generation of Scientists, Others
President Joe Biden said on July 26 that the bill will allow the U.S. "to train our next generation of scientists, engineers and tech entrepreneurs, and it will assist us in retooling the community of small, medium and large businesses that create our leading-edge weapons systems." He also said, "It was a top priority for...
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