TSMC wants to bring in foreign reinforcements to get its Arizona factory running because it claims there aren't enough qualified local workers.

TSMC says the opening of its Arizona chip factory has been delayed due to a shortage of skilled workers. The company says it needs to bring Taiwanese workers to Arizona to get construction back on track. An Arizona union says US jobs are being threatened — and is urging lawmakers to deny the workers’ visas.

  • MicroWave@lemmy.worldOP
    601·
    1 year ago

    We’re not talking about semiconductor workers though. This is from the earlier article that this article references:

    TSMC and its suppliers are in talks with the U.S. government to assist with the application process for non-immigrant visas in a bid to dispatch more than 500 experienced workers as early as July to expedite the construction of cleanroom facilities and the installation of pipelines and other equipment, three chip supply chain executives said.

    https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/TSMC-to-send-hundreds-more-workers-to-speed-U.S.-plant-construction

    • HuddaBudda@kbin.social
      82·
      1 year ago

      Chip making factories need water, electricity, ventilation. I don’t think that surprises anyone.

      And if there was one thing American’s are Semi-good at, it is trade skills.

      If this was a case of needing more experienced professionals for chips, I would agree with Tiawan. However, could anyone make an argument on why we need a concrete expert from Taiwan? Or an electrician from Tiawan? Or a plumber from Tiawan?

      • jscummy@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        1 year ago

        Specialized electricians for some of the more sophisticated systems is the only one that makes any sense. Even then, there’s plenty of US workers available unless it’s something highly specific to chip fabs.

        • 【J】【u】【s】【t】【Z】@lemmy.world
          1·
          1 year ago

          That’s exactly what it is.

          “We are now entering a critical phase of handling and installing the most advanced and dedicated equipment,” said TSMC chairman Mark Liu. “However, we are encountering certain challenges as there is an insufficient amount of skilled workers with those specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility.”

          • jscummy@sh.itjust.works
            1·
            1 year ago

            I still have some suspicions on that, AMD and Intel aren’t complaining about shortages. I’d be curious to see what expertise/certifications they’re looking for because I’m sure they could find a company in Cali or Texas if they’re willing to pay up.

            • girlfreddy@mastodon.social
              1·
              1 year ago

              @jscummy @JustZ

              More so these days it’s all about the “money”, as in wages.

              Companies are too beholden to investors instead of the company. When the rich boys scream about wages sucking up too much of their profits, this is what happens.

              • jscummy@sh.itjust.works
                1·
                1 year ago

                A lot of the major equipment will come from ASML (Dutch) and a lot of the minor stuff will probably be from a major conglomerate that has no issue providing multiple language manuals.

                Furthermore, for larger/built in equipment installs the company providing will send out a technician for final programming at the very least.

    • 【J】【u】【s】【t】【Z】@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 year ago

      “We are now entering a critical phase of handling and installing the most advanced and dedicated equipment,” said TSMC chairman Mark Liu. “However, we are encountering certain challenges as there is an insufficient amount of skilled workers with those specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility.”