Microsystems Process Technician Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Category
Published on
Abstract
This document presents the 2023 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Microsystems Technicians that were developed through work of the Micro Nano Technology Education Center in partnership with industry representatives. These KSAs will be reviewed and updated on a regular schedule.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are the attributes required to perform a job.
Knowledge is a body of information applied directly to the performance of a function: How well does a student understand a concept theoretically?
Skills are observable competencies needed to perform learned psychomotor acts: How well can a student execute a specific activity?
Abilities are competencies to perform an observable behavior or behaviors that results in an observable product: Does the student
meet expectations outside of strictly technical expertise?
The first set of KSAs that covered the work of microsystems technicians were developed by the Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC) and subject-matter experts from its industry partners, which included Intel and Texas Instruments. MATEC was funded as a center in the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program from 1994 to 2017; its focus was on the development of technicians for semiconductor manufacturing and related industries.%5C
The key outcome of MATEC’s process for identifying KSAs was the publication of Skill Standards for Technicians in the Highly Automated Manufacturing Environment in 2002. [5] This publication has served community college educators and employers well for more than two decades. MATEC’s Skill Standards provided an excellent starting point for MNT-ECs development of the KSAs in this document, which consider the workplace technologies that microsystems technicians use in 2020s and employers’ expectations.
MNT-EC personnel began drafting Microsystems Process Technician Knowledge, Skills & Abilities in 2021 by updating MATEC’s Skill Standards and adding more detailed information in each section. This draft was shared with members of MNT-EC’s Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT). Feedback from the BILT was incorporated into the KSAs. In 2021 and 2022 MNT-EC convened modified focus group meetings via video conferences to gather more input on the revised KSAs from BILT members. MNT-EC’s BILT members are employed by companies of various sizes and include representatives of two industry associations. During the meetings, BILT members voted on each KSA, discussed points that lacked consensus, and suggested additions and deletions to the document. Each suggestion was then voted on by the BILT members during the meeting.
Credits
Industry Professionals Influence Microsystems Process Technician Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA)
This KSA publication is the result of a collaborative effort between MNT-EC and its partners from education and industry. The MNT-EC Team is grateful for the foundational work of the Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC) in the early 2000s to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities of technicians in automated work environments. We would particularly like to recognize the leadership of Michael Lesiecki, MATEC’s executive director, and the contributions of MATEC’s industry partners.
MNT-EC appreciates the time and expertise of its Industry Team members, who helped draft the KSAs, and the members of MNT-EC’s Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT), who contributed their insights about the KSAs during virtual, modified focus groups.
The following Industry Team members worked with MNT-EC staff on this project: Kate W. Alcott, Demis John, Jim Marti, Eldon McMurray, Matthias Pleil, and John Wood.
The following BILT members participated in the KSA discussions and voting: Chris Buser; Todd Christenson, Amish Desai, David DiPaola, Robert Giasolli, LaMar Hill, Mark Hofheins, Randy Hsing, John Hubacz, Len McNally, Frank Silva, Aric Shorey, Todd Smith, Robert Weinman, Adrienne Williams, Mark Wilson, and Lei Yin.
About SEMI Foundation
SEMI Foundation is the workforce development arm of SEMI, the global industry association representing the entire electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. SEMI connects more than 2,600 member companies worldwide to address common industry challenges together. The SEMI Foundation supports companies and partners in developing holistic workforce development strategies and programs with a focus on diversifying the talent pipeline.
About National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT)
The National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT) leads the deployment of a national strategy to broaden and build the talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry and strategic industry sectors. Its National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative aligns with education programs at all levels, offers infrastructure to attract broad populations, and improves connections to career and technical education.
Photo Sources
Many of the photos in this publication (cover, pages 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11) were taken in the University of New Mexico’s Manufacturing Training and Technology Center (MTTC) cleanroom, which the Support Center for Microsystems Education (SCME) utilizes for weeklong experiences for community college faculty and students. Photos were provided by the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (page 2), Northwest Vista Community College (page 9), Ivy Tech Community College (pages 3, 4, 5, 7, 8), SCME (pages 6, 11), Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education (LASER-TEC) at Indian River State College (page 10), the Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge Support Center (NACK) at Penn State University (page 12).
Sponsored by
Acknowledgement & Disclaimer
The team at the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) appreciates the support of the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program and its funding of other ATE projects and centers. Those initiatives have informed our ongoing efforts to develop a highly skilled technical workforce. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the principal investigator, co-principal investigators, MNT-EC staff, MNT-EC’s education and industry partners, and MNT-EC’s Business and Industry Leadership Team members. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
This publication is produced by the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106, with support from the National Science Foundation under grant 2000281.
website: https://micronanoeducation.org
email: info@micronanoeducation.org
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
Submitter
Purdue University