As CHIPS and Science Turns One, Cantwell Calls for New Ways Fed Government Can Collaborate to Meet Semiconductor Workforce and Innovation Demands at DARPA Conference

"We're at a place now where we have so much information. We need collaboration.

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Overall, the CHIPS and Science Act represents one of the largest investments in research and development and a focus on STEM workforce. That was a key part of the bill. And really one of the things I think we really need to focus on today. That is, the jobs of tomorrow are here today, but we don't have the skilled workforce to do it.

We need to maximize innovation and entrepreneurship. We need to educate that workforce. And we need to focus on the applications of tomorrow that will convince our colleagues that the competitiveness of the nation depends on that investment.

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First, DARPA-funded researchers can be encouraged to join the National Semiconductor Technology Center, being established by the Department of Commerce, giving greater access to industry facilities used in commercial R&D fabrication.

Second, The CHIPS and Science program could assist DARPA in finding industry partners to ensure that leading-edge microelectronics breakthroughs make it through the infamous valley of death.

And three, the executive branch can develop a government-wide workforce strategy to ensure training and educational institutions are adequately funded and focused on STEM and the needs of the defense and commercial microelectronics sector.

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we did two competitiveness bills before this legislation and we failed to do one thing after it: appropriate the right amount of money."

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