In an unprecedented move to fortify the labor capabilities within the semiconductor industry, Costa Rica will play host to the first-ever symposium by the United States, under the robust framework of the Chips and Science Act or Chips Act, this upcoming February 2024. This strategic initiative is a cornerstone effort to develop the labor force in the semiconductor industry among the member countries of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), the U.S. government announced.
United States Spearheads Labor Capability Enhancement with the Chips Act
This initiative is part of the measures the State Department is implementing through the International Fund for Technological Innovation and Security (ITSI Fund), established in the Chips Act, signed by President Joe Biden in August 2022.
The ITSI Fund will endow the State Department with $100 million annually over the next five years. The fund’s objective is to promote the development and adoption of secure telecommunications networks, as well as to ensure the safety and diversification of the semiconductor supply chain through new programs and initiatives with partner countries.
Strategic Alliance with Costa Rica for Semiconductor Growth
On July 14, the United States declared a partnership with Costa Rica to probe opportunities for diversification and expansion of the semiconductor ecosystem in the country. As per a press release from the U.S. embassy in Costa Rica, this meeting marks the first in a series of collaborative sessions involving governments, labor unions, and academic entities to develop educational programs addressing the semiconductor industry’s demands.
Establishing a Center of Excellence in Costa Rica
The U.S. embassy further announced the establishment of a public-private Center of Excellence in Costa Rica within the APEP framework. This center aims to provide specialized training in semiconductors, cybersecurity, and other high-technology fields pertinent to the digital economy for the entire region.
President Biden, during a press conference in Washington DC, underscored Costa Rica’s selection as the host country for the forthcoming APEP meeting in 2025. These symposiums are designed to pinpoint critical workforce development needs and align educational programs with the specific requirements of the semiconductor industry.
The symposium’s agenda will include customized content, emphasizing curricular development and workforce development strategies for community colleges and technical schools offering programs in semiconductor technology.
Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity: A Collaborative Endeavor
The APEP, announced by Biden in June 2022, includes the United States, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Canada, and Barbados. The group’s inaugural summit took place on November 2 and 3, 2023, in Washington D.C., setting the stage for cooperative economic growth across the Americas.
Costa Rica: A Hub for Technological Innovation and Workforce Development
The announcement of this symposium is a testament to Costa Rica’s growing role as a central hub for technological innovation and workforce development in the semiconductor industry within the Americas. This initiative is not only a stepping stone for the country’s economic growth but also positions it as a key player in the international effort to secure and diversify the semiconductor supply chain, which is critical to the global technology infrastructure.
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