NNME South Regional Node

Scaling the Semiconductor Workforce Across the Southern United States
NNME South activates the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) strategy across one of the largest and most influential semiconductor regions in the country.
Led by the University of Texas at Austin, NNME South accelerates the training and placement of semiconductor talent across the full ecosystem—from substrate fabrication and integrated circuit design to advanced packaging, equipment production, and infrastructure development.
Beginning with Texas in Year 1, NNME South is launching a coordinated, multi-state approach that translates national workforce standards into scalable, employer-driven programs designed to meet critical semiconductor talent needs across the region.
Geographic Reach
Arkansas | Georgia | Florida | Texas | New Mexico | Louisiana | Oklahoma | Utah | Alabama | Mississippi
With planned expansion into additional states, NNME South represents one of the most expansive and strategically positioned regions within the NNME network.

What NNME South Delivers
NNME South is designed to meet workforce demand at scale by:
Translating national knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) into regional training programs
Aligning education and workforce systems with employer needs
Accelerating workforce readiness across critical semiconductor roles
Connecting talent to employment opportunities across the region
Why This Region Matters
NNME South represents a significant share of the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem:
- Estimated 30–35% of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity
- Estimated 25–30% of the national semiconductor workforce
Anchored by Texas, the region is uniquely positioned with a fully integrated semiconductor ecosystem spanning multiple major metropolitan areas and industry clusters.


Regional Strengths
NNME South leverages a diverse set of regional capabilities:
- Advanced materials and substrate innovation (Georgia)
- Strategic chemicals and supply chain materials (Louisiana)
- Advanced manufacturing and power electronics (Oklahoma)
- Automated fabrication and analog processing (Texas, Utah)
- Advanced packaging and defense microelectronics (New Mexico)
- Aerospace, defense, and electronics manufacturing integration (Florida)
- Wideband SiC and advanced manufacturing technologies (Arkansas)
This breadth enables NNME South to support workforce development across the entire semiconductor value chain.
Network of Partners
NNME South operates through a large-scale, coordinated consortium of 104 partners, including leading institutions, employers, and workforce organizations.
Postsecondary Institutions
Includes: Austin Community College, Austin College, Blinn College, Boise State University, Bridgerland College, Central New Mexico Community College, Collin College, Dallas College, Duke University, East Texas A&M University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Grayson College, Houston Community College, Jackson State university, Louisiana Tech University, Mississippi State University, Murray State Technical College (Oklahoma), North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, North Central Texas College, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Sandia National Laboratories, St. Petersburg College, Tallahassee State College, Tarleton State University, Tarrant County College, Technical College System of Georgia, Temple College, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University–Central Texas, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Texas State Technical College, Texas Tech University, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Central Florida, University of Houston, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of North Texas, University of South Florida, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas at San Antonio, Vanderbilt University, West Texas A&M University, Western Carolina University
Microelectronics Sector Employers
Includes: AltaScient, AMD, Applied Materials, Arm, ARMA, ASML, Cadence, Calumet Electronics, Coherent, FormFactor, GlobalFoundries, GlobalWafers, IEEE, Intel, Intellepi, Keysight, Kyma Technologies, L3Harris, Leonardo DRS, Micron, Micross, Northrop Grumman, NXP, Pelican Engineering, PICadvanced, Qorvo, Samsung, Silicon Assurance, SkyWater Technology, Synopsys, Teledyne, Texas Instruments, Wolfspeed
Workforce Development Organizations
Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Workforce Solutions Dallas, Workforce Solutions North Central Texas, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, Workforce Solutions Texoma
K–12 and STEM Education Partners
Educate Texas, Education Service Center Region 13
Economic Development Partners
Includes: Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater Brazos Partnership, Louisiana Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Commerce, One Acadiana (Lafayette Chamber of Commerce), Opportunity Austin, Richardson Chamber of Commerce, Taylor Economic Development Corporation, Williamson County Economic Development Partnership
Community-Based & Technical Partners
Texas CHIPS Office, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Richardson (TX)
Leadership Team
NNME South is led by a coalition of academic, workforce, and industry leaders across the region.

Dr. Alyssa Reinhart
Director of Workforce Development
Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE)
The University of Texas at Austin
Get Involved
Organizations interested in partnering with NNME South or supporting workforce initiatives across the region can connect with the NNME team.
