Shari Liss of The Semi Foundation is a global workforce strategist operating at the intersection of industry demand, education systems, and public policy. As Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI, she leads the workforce agenda for the worldwide microelectronics ecosystem, spanning the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, and supporting more than 4,000 member companies. Her mandate is direct and consequential: ensure the semiconductor industry has the skilled, prepared, and future-ready workforce required to sustain innovation, scale advanced manufacturing, and remain globally competitive. Under her leadership, the SEMI Foundation has evolved into a comprehensive global platform, now operating more than 50 initiatives aligned tightly to industry demand signals.
Here is California Business Journal's Q&A with Ms. Liss.
CBJ: California has been at the center of semiconductor innovation for decades. Today, there's just as much conversation about talent as there is about technology. Why has the workforce become such a critical priority?
Shari Liss: The semiconductor industry is experiencing tremendous growth, and that growth is creating demand for talent across the entire ecosystem. Every major technology shaping our future, whether it's artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, defense, or clean energy, depends on semiconductors.
As manufacturing expands, so does the need for people who can design, build, maintain, and support these technologies. Industry projections estimate the global semiconductor workforce will need to grow to roughly 2.6 million people by 2030. Here in the United States, our recent Landscape Analysis estimates a workforce gap of approximately 150,000 workers if current trends continue.
That's why the workforce has become such an important conversation. For this industry to continue to thrive, it's about more than building manufacturing capacity. It's about making sure we have the people prepared to sustain innovation for decades to come.
CBJ: Tell us about the SEMI Foundation. Where does your organization fit into that picture?
Liss: The SEMI Foundation is the nonprofit workforce development arm of SEMI, the global industry association connecting the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain.
Our focus is people. We work alongside industry, educators, workforce organizations, and public sector partners to strengthen the talent pipeline through education, workforce development, and career pathways.
One of the things I appreciate most about this work is that it's incredibly collaborative. Everyone recognizes the opportunity in front of us, and everyone understands that progress happens when industry, academia, and government work together to address this workforce challenge.
CBJ: That collaboration led to the creation of the National Network for Microelectronics Education. What makes the NNME different?
Liss: In partnership with the National Science Foundation and the Department of Commerce, the SEMI Foundation is the national hub leading the National Network for Microelectronics Education, or NNME.
What's different is that we're building a cohesive national network instead of a collection of individual programs, often siloed.
Across the country, there are outstanding colleges, universities, employers, workforce boards, and community organizations already doing great work in this space. Rather than asking everyone to start from scratch, we're helping connect those efforts, share successful models, and build a stronger national workforce ecosystem.
Today, our Regional Nodes bring together more than 325 organizations working collaboratively to strengthen education, modernize curriculum, expand work-based learning, and create clearer pathways into semiconductor careers. Our goal is to create impact at scale.
CBJ: California is home to many of the world's leading semiconductor companies. Is the state producing enough talent to meet demand?
Liss: California has an incredible foundation because it already has world-class companies, research institutions, and higher education partners.
Community colleges are working directly with employers to develop technician programs. Universities are aligning engineering education with evolving industry needs. Companies are opening their doors to students through internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities.
There's certainly more work ahead, but the momentum is there. California has always led through innovation, and now we're seeing that same mindset applied to workforce development.
CBJ: Many people still picture semiconductor careers as engineering jobs inside a cleanroom. How accurate is that perception?
Liss: We hear that all the time, and it's probably the biggest misconception about our industry. Yes, we need engineers, technicians, and researchers. Those careers are absolutely essential. But that's only part of the story.
The semiconductor industry also needs professionals in cybersecurity, finance, communications, data science, supply chain, operations, human resources, marketing, and many other fields.
These are global companies with incredibly diverse workforces. Whether your interests are technical, creative, or business focused, there are meaningful opportunities to contribute to an industry that powers virtually every aspect of modern life.
CBJ: For students or professionals interested in exploring those careers, where should they begin?
Liss: One of the resources we're especially excited about is ChipPath.
ChipPath is a career exploration platform built specifically for the semiconductor industry. It helps students, educators, and job seekers understand career options, explore education pathways, discover local opportunities, and connect directly with employers.
AI enhances the experience by providing personalized career guidance that helps people navigate their next steps with confidence.
One of our biggest goals is simply helping people see what's possible. Many talented individuals don't realize how many different careers exist within this industry until someone connects the dots for them.
CBJ: The Foundation is investing in more than career exploration. What else are you building?
Liss: We're thinking about workforce development as an ecosystem. Alongside ChipPath, we're continuing to expand SEMI University, which provides professional learning opportunities for individuals entering or advancing within the semiconductor industry.
For the NNME, we're also developing SemiSphere, a national collaboration platform where educators, workforce organizations, and industry partners can share curriculum, instructional resources, and best practices.
The goal is to make workforce development more connected, more scalable, and more responsive to the industry's evolving needs.
CBJ: What role do employers play in all of this?
Liss: They're at the center of all of it. Employers understand where technology is headed and the skills their future workforce will need. They help shape curriculum, validate competencies, mentor students, provide internships and apprenticeships, and create meaningful work-based learning experiences.
That's really where the magic happens. When employers and educators sit at the same table, students graduate better prepared, employers gain access to stronger talent pipelines, and everyone benefits.
CBJ: You've spent much of your career bringing education and industry together. What keeps you motivated?
Liss: I've always believed education has the power to change lives, especially when it's connected to meaningful career opportunities. I began my career as a mathematics teacher, and throughout the years I've focused on helping education and industry work more closely together. Joining SEMI gave me the opportunity to bring that passion into an industry that's so important to innovation, economic growth, and our future.
What keeps me energized is seeing partnerships come to life. Watching employers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders work toward a common goal is incredibly rewarding because those partnerships create opportunities that wouldn't exist otherwise.
CBJ: Looking ahead, what gives you the most optimism?
Liss: I think we're at a really unique moment. There's broad recognition that workforce isn't someone else's responsibility. Industry is investing. Educators are innovating. States are stepping up. Organizations are collaborating in ways we haven't seen before.
If we continue building on that momentum, we'll build a stronger, more resilient talent ecosystem that supports innovation and strengthens economies. That's something worth investing in.
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