CHIPS Training in America Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 17, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to bolster the domestic semiconductor workforce through targeted grants, strategic planning, and improved information sharing, leveraging existing federal investments.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), to fund workforce development and academic programs in semiconductor manufacturing and related industries. It also mandates the creation of a 5-year national strategy on microelectronics workforce development, expands the activities of the NSTC to include competency-based frameworks, and requires a publicly accessible online clearinghouse for microelectronics education and workforce information. The bill reallocates existing authorized funds from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 for these purposes.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill is a crucial step to address the critical shortage of skilled workers in the domestic semiconductor industry, which is vital for national security and economic competitiveness. They contend that by establishing a dedicated grant program and a comprehensive national strategy, the U.S. can build a robust and diverse talent pipeline, ensuring the long-term success of CHIPS Act investments and maintaining global leadership in microelectronics.
Opponents contend
Opponents, if any, might express concerns about potential bureaucratic inefficiencies in establishing new federal programs or the risk of duplicating existing workforce development efforts. Some might argue that the bill's reliance on reallocated funds may divert resources from other important CHIPS Act priorities, or that a federal grant program might not be the most effective or flexible mechanism to meet diverse regional workforce needs.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, making it accessible for an informed reader to evaluate within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2
Online Clearinghouse for Microelectronics Workforce Information
This section amends the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 to explicitly require the establishment and maintenance of a single, publicly accessible online clearinghouse. This clearinghouse will serve as a central hub for information related to microelectronics education and workforce development, aiming to consolidate resources and improve accessibility for stakeholders.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a centralized clearinghouse will enhance transparency and efficiency in microelectronics workforce development, preventing fragmentation of information and making it easier for individuals and institutions to find relevant programs and resources.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is seen as a common-sense measure to improve information access. Potential concerns, if any, might relate to the cost of maintenance or ensuring the clearinghouse remains current and comprehensive.
Tradeoffs
The primary tradeoff is ensuring the clearinghouse is effectively managed and updated to avoid becoming obsolete, while also preventing duplication of efforts by other federal agencies.
Section 3
Competency-Based Frameworks for Workforce Development
This section amends the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to add a new activity for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The NSTC will now be responsible for developing competency-based degree, credentialing, and certificate frameworks. This aims to increase standardization across semiconductor and microelectronics workforce development programs, ensuring that training aligns with industry needs.
Section 4
National Strategy on Microelectronics Workforce Development
This section mandates the Microelectronics Subcommittee to develop a 5-year national strategy on microelectronics workforce development within one year of the bill's enactment. For this specific purpose, the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Veterans Affairs are added to the Subcommittee. The strategy must include annual and long-term objectives, common metrics for progress, roles of education systems, federal funding utilization, effectiveness assessment, and alignment with other national strategies. The Subcommittee is also tasked with coordinating federal programs and updating the strategy every five years.
Section 5
CHIPS Training in America Grant Program
This section establishes a new competitive grant program, to be administered by the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The grants will be awarded to eligible partnerships (comprising an eligible institution, a covered entity, and a state/tribal/local government) to create or expand workforce development and academic programs focused on semiconductor manufacturing and related fields. Grants can be up to $7,000,000 for a period not exceeding 5 years, with a maximum federal share of 50%. Priority is given to partnerships in growing microelectronics ecosystems that recruit individuals with barriers to employment.
This provision specifies that the non-Federal costs contributed by a covered entity (e.g., a semiconductor company) as part of an eligible partnership's grant under this program shall be considered as part of that entity's commitments to worker and community investments, as required under section 9902(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II) of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
Section 5, new 9906A(f)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to integrate new programs with existing legal frameworks and prevent double-counting or creating conflicting investment requirements for companies receiving CHIPS Act benefits. It ensures consistency in how private sector contributions are recognized.
Case for: Proponents would argue this provision streamlines compliance for covered entities by allowing their contributions to workforce development grants to satisfy existing CHIPS Act community investment obligations. This encourages participation in the grant program while ensuring accountability for broader community benefits.
Case against: Critics might argue that this provision could allow covered entities to fulfill existing CHIPS Act community investment requirements without necessarily making *additional* investments beyond what is required for the grant program. This could potentially reduce the overall quantum of new community investments.
Estimated impact: This provision could significantly influence how semiconductor companies allocate their required CHIPS Act community investments, potentially directing a portion towards these workforce development grants.
This section prohibits any Federal agency from establishing a microelectronics education and workforce clearinghouse that is duplicative or alternative to the online clearinghouse authorized in Section 102(d) of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (as amended by Section 2 of this bill).
Section 6
Why it matters:This provision is likely placed at the end to serve as a final, overarching directive on avoiding redundancy. It's a 'good government' measure to ensure efficiency and prevent fragmentation of federal efforts.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this prohibition is crucial for preventing wasteful spending and ensuring that federal resources are concentrated on a single, comprehensive, and authoritative source of information. This promotes efficiency and clarity for all stakeholders.
Case against: Critics might contend that a strict prohibition could limit innovation or the development of specialized clearinghouses that might better serve niche needs within the broader microelectronics ecosystem. It could also create a single point of failure if the authorized clearinghouse proves inadequate.
Estimated impact: This provision prevents potential future federal expenditures on redundant information systems and centralizes federal efforts around a single online platform.