Chips and Champions: Micron and IVMF Powerful Partnership

Micron's first veteran intern from Syracuse University, Savion Pollard

800+ Learners in Semiconductor Course

In partnership with Micron Technology, IVMF is training veterans and military spouses for careers in one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. More than 800 people are already in the program. The industry is hiring now.

A Partnership Built Before the Groundbreaking

Micron Technology needed to develop a workforce pipeline connected to individuals who could operate with precision, perform under pressure, and understand the stakes of a meticulous process and national security job. Fortunately, The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families built a reputation on translating the military experience into employer success for nearly two decades. When Micron and the IVMF came together in 2024, a fully operational semiconductor workforce pathway was developed to give access to veterans and military spouses nationwide.

Now, with more than 800 enrolled veterans and military spouses, a national employer network, and hiring connections across New York, Virginia, and Idaho. This partnership stands as proof that the most mission-critical industries in America are strongest when they hire those who have already proven themselves in service to the nation.

Built for Veterans. Built for Industry.

The CHIPS and Science Act set off one of the largest domestic manufacturing investments in a generation. New semiconductor facilities are going up across the country along with the need for a experienced workforce to staff them. Technicians, process engineers, supply chain specialists, and more are still being assembled in New York, Idaho, and Northern Virginia.

IVMF and Micron Technology started working on that problem together before the first shovel broke ground. The Semiconductor Foundations course was developed with Micron subject matter experts through Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies. It introduces veterans and military spouses to the semiconductor industry, the structure of fab operations, and the career pathways available to people with their backgrounds. In 2022, Micron hired their first veteran intern Savion Pollard. Since September 2024, the College of Professional Studies runs cohorts both online and in-person.

The program is part of Onward to Opportunity, IVMF’s career training program that has served more than 100,000 veterans and military spouses since 2011 and has statistically proven positive impacts on post-service employment.
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Micron officials posing at official ground breaking of future Micron factory.

Micron officials pose with elected officials during a groundbreaking ceremony in Clay, New York. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Veterans & Military Spouses
800+
Enrolled in Semiconductor Training
Learners Completed or In Progress
466
Actively Engaged
States
3
New York, Virginia & Idaho
Average Earnings for O2O grads
+10%
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Doctor Michael Haynie Headshot

“The IVMF is pleased to partner with Micron on the successful launch of the Semiconductor Hub within the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program. Thanks to Micron’s generous support, transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military family members are now accessing high-quality, no-cost career preparation to enable them to enter and thrive in the semiconductor industry. This is a win-win for these individuals who will be better equipped to attain well-paying jobs in a high-growth field as well as companies like Micron that will benefit from their talent. Syracuse University and the IVMF look forward to continuing efforts to bolster the workforce required to support Micron’s Central New York investment.”

J. Michael Haynie

Acting Chancellor for Syracuse University

Founder, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The Semiconductor Foundations Course

The Semiconductor Foundations course is a three-hour introduction to semiconductor manufacturing, workforce pathways, and the technical basics of fab operations. It was developed in collaboration with Micron subject matter experts and is delivered through Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies.

The course is available to veterans and military spouses who are currently enrolled in Onward to Opportunity. It does not require prior semiconductor experience and upon completion, participants will receive a certificate from Syracuse University.

What the course covers

  • Introduction to the semiconductor industry and its place in the economy & national security
  • How a semiconductor fab operates: the production process, the roles, and the environment
  • Career pathways available to veterans and military spouses at the entry level and beyond
  • The skills and backgrounds that translate from military service to semiconductor manufacturing
  • How to move from course completion into active job seeking and employer connections

Who it is for

  • Veterans and transitioning service members who want to understand what a semiconductor career looks like
  • Military spouses exploring technical career pathways in a growing industry
  • O2O participants who have completed their primary certification training and want to add industry-specific knowledge
  • Anyone connected to the IVMF program ecosystem who is considering advanced manufacturing as a career direction

What happens after

Participants who complete the Semiconductor Foundations course are connected to the IVMF employer portal, where Micron is the first featured employer partner. The portal is launching in mid-2026. A referral network is in development with a long-term goal of generating 300 to 500 annual referrals into semiconductor career pathways.

Additional employer partners currently in discussion include GlobalFoundries, SEMI, and the Semiconductor Industry Association. Regional academic connections are being built with Onondaga Community College and Jefferson Community College in Central New York.

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Mike Guttmen

“Micron has long made it a priority to help with that transition and hire veterans because we know they bring not just the necessary skillsets to work in our industry, but the teamwork and leadership skills that are essential to making Micron an industry leader.”

Mike Guttman

Staff Program Manager | Workforce Strategies

Micron Technology

The semiconductor industry is building its workforce now

The opportunity is national in scope and immediate in timeline. Micron’s Boise, Idaho operations move into active production in 2027, and hiring for those roles is already underway. Semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent employers across Northern Virginia are actively recruiting now. The megafab in Clay, NY will ultimately employ an additional 9,000+ across four facilities planned. Veterans and military spouses who complete the Semiconductor Foundations course today are not waiting for a future opening. They are entering a pipeline that has active demand at one end and a world-class credentialing program at the other.

The Semiconductor Foundations course is three hours. It is available at no cost to eligible Onward to Opportunity participants. It connects you to the employers who are building the semiconductor workforce across three states. If you are eligible, there is no reason to wait.

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FAQ

  • Do I need prior experience in semiconductors to take this course?

    No. The Semiconductor Foundations course is designed for people who have no prior semiconductor experience. It is a three-hour introduction, not a technical deep-dive. If you served in a technical role in the military, that background will be useful. If you did not, the course is still designed for you.

  • Does completing the course guarantee me a job with Micron?

    No. Completing the course does not guarantee employment with Micron or any other employer. It results in a certificate of completion from Syracuse University, which signals to employers that you have foundational knowledge of the industry. IVMF will connect course completers to the employer portal, where Micron is the first featured partner, and will actively support job seeking. But employment decisions are made by employers, not IVMF.

  • Is this a certification?

    No. The course results in a certificate of completion from Syracuse University. That is different from an industry certification, which typically requires passing an external credentialing exam. The certificate of completion is a real and recognized credential. It is not an industry certification, and we will not describe it as one.

  • When will Micron actually be hiring?

    Micron’s large-scale hiring in New York will ramp over several years as the megafab moves through construction and commissioning. That timeline is outside IVMF’s control. What IVMF can tell you is that semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent employers are hiring now in Idaho, Virginia, and across the advanced manufacturing ecosystem. The program is designed to connect you to those opportunities regardless of Micron’s specific hiring timeline.

  • I'm already enrolled in O2O. How do I access the semiconductor course?

    The Semiconductor Foundations course is available through your existing Percipio account. Log in and search for the course directly. If you have completed your primary O2O coursework and your cohort has ended but your account is still active, the course is still available to you. Contact your O2O program advisor if you have trouble locating it.

  • I'm a military spouse. Is this program for me?

    Yes. Military spouses are a core part of this program. O2O was built for them, and the semiconductor pathway is no different. Military spouses are among the most motivated participants in the program — they complete at higher rates than almost any other group. The semiconductor industry has strong demand for people with diverse backgrounds, including the technical and organizational skills military spouses bring.

  • Is there a cost?

    The Semiconductor Foundations course is available at no cost to eligible O2O participants. O2O itself is a no-cost program for eligible veterans and military spouses. Visit the O2O program page to confirm your eligibility.