A $20 billion Intel project in New Albany could become the largest chip manufacturing center in the world, depending on how many factories the computer components company decides to build.
Intel expects the first phase of the buildout — two chip factories estimated to open by 2028 — to support 7,000 building trade jobs. Semiconductor chip factories require engineers, technicians, software developers and other positions.
Intel expects to hire 3,000 people for its 1,000-acre campus at the first two facilities. Knox and Richland area community colleges are among those preparing to train a skilled workforce for Intel’s demand.
“I think industries in this area will receive business,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said during a visit to Goyal Industries in May. “Those in the supply chain are getting a huge share of Intel already. They’re adding employees and I think you’re going to continue to see things like that.
“It’s going to be the largest construction project and private sector investment in Ohio’s history. Bringing a whole new industry to our state will grow the job opportunities, business opportunities and real estate.”
A 2021 third-party study found each job at Intel supported approximately 13 other jobs elsewhere either in the supply chain or other services.
Faculty are working with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges to develop curricula for advanced manufacturing and semiconductor education.
North Central State College building semiconductor maintenance courses
NCSC has been involved in the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network and the Midwest Semiconductor Network since both groups launched in 2022.
Now, in preparation for Intel, NCSC is working to host semiconductor maintenance courses within its manufacturing engineering program by 2025.
“We’ll follow the state model and we will have an introduction to manufacturing course,” said Dan Wagner, the NCSC dean of engineering, technology and criminal justice. “We have a semiconductor 101 course and a vacuum technology course.
“We certainly have the capacity to help, and these 22 other colleges in the network do, too. But, with the talent Intel will need statewide, we all expect to be at full capacity.”
Students can begin studying for the semiconductor maintenance certificate at any time and the college will coordinate the semiconductor courses once the grant-funded semiconductor vacuum pumps arrive.
A full-time student could complete the 33-credit hour certificate in one year. Students earning credits for the certificate can also advance to an associate’s degree track in manufacturing technology and operations management. Wagner said the manufacturing technology department expects to offer scholarships and work with community partners to fund educational opportunities.
“I have to believe the state of Ohio will support training just as they have the development of the programming,” he said.
“Many of our courses are focusing on advanced manufacturing in general. They will be transferable skills for Intel work, Honda or many local places that are upgrading their operations.”
Wagner also noted NCSC welcomes adults from different careers who are interested in learning semiconductor manufacturing and maintenance.
“It will be a heavy lift to excite the next generation, but those adults who are interested in a career change might also see that this is something attainable,” he said.
Keith Stoner, NCSC director of marketing and public relations, said the college already has partnerships with OhioHealth and Avita Health Systems to provide staff members with additional training. He thinks manufacturers or other large employment sectors could duplicate that.
“I’m confident that some local companies will begin to identify who their future leaders are and work with us to take them through requisite training for additional skills,” he said. “The state has been a really great advocate at the federal level bringing us the resources we need.”
COTC engineering enrollment up 55%
John Berry, president of Central Ohio Technical College, said COTC has created a one-year certificate and two-year associate’s degree for students interested in engineering technician positions for Intel.
COTC is based in Newark with satellite campuses in Mount Vernon, Coshocton and Reynoldsburg. Students at any campus have the option to take in-person or online classes, but have to travel to Newark to use equipment required for some of the classes.
“COTC is in a unique position being the closest two-year college to the Intel fabrication center,” Berry said. “We want to bring those courses to all of our campus locations so you can access this pathway in your backyard as well.”
Berry said COTC has ordered portable vacuum systems to expand the semiconductor courses’ availability to the satellite campuses within the next two years.
“We’re already up 55% in our engineering pipelines,” he said. “We were at about 120 to 150 students, and now we’ve seen a great surge of interest and enrollment because of the great array of opportunities that this presents.”
Berry said he thinks Intel has spotlighted opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector and that anyone with a semiconductor certificate could find job opportunities in multiple businesses.
“Most of the actual chip-making at Intel is automated, so the technicians work with the large-scale machines to make sure they’re working properly and troubleshooting any problems,” Berry said.
“I know Intel is working to help transfer people to one of their other locations if someone wants to start work immediately and they would have the option to come back to Ohio. There’s also plenty of opportunities locally in the industry.”
Richland, Knox areas as potential development sites
Some local businesses are already contracted to supply the Intel buildout, and other suppliers could look to the area as a viable place to set up shop.
Brett Burgett, president and co-CEO of Kokosing Inc, serves on the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation board.
He said fellow board members include policy makers, business leaders from various industries, and educational institutions.
“We look at ways to ready the workforce for in-demand careers,” Burgett said. “We celebrate the positive impacts Intel and LG Honda will have providing opportunities for Ohio’s workforce, and we want to keep the positive momentum.
“With Intel choosing to come to Ohio, other companies will look at Ohio for their expansion, and we have great resources to offer companies looking to expand. Most companies look at a several-hundred mile radius if they want to set up shop near another large company.”
Burgett noted that positive economic development and job creation is happening throughout the Midwest region.
“When a company with an expansive supply chain comes to the region, we all get an offshoot from that,” he said. “If someone locates in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that’s positive for Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.”
“There was a concern among local manufacturers that there would be this rush for talent and competition among employers,” he said.
“That really hasn’t borne out, especially because Intel has created their own pipelines for certifications working directly with some of the regional community colleges.”
Gottke noted each Knox County community might want to approach Intel preparations differently. The New Albany facility will be about 12 miles from Centerburg and 21 miles from Mount Vernon.
“It’s not predetermined impact — it depends on how aggressive each community wants to be toward growth,” he said. “One community may want to preserve greenspaces and farmland and another might want to identify a site with utilities that an Intel supplier could move to.
“It’s exciting to have that conversation. This announcement has jolted the community into asking what we want to look like in 10 years and to work together to increase economic and workforce opportunities.”
Northeast Ohio expects to see 35% GRP jump before Intel opens
Clint Knight, Richland Area Chamber director of workforce development, said he’s sure some Richland County residents will commute to work at Intel during the buildout and when the facility opens.
“It’s going to be the fastest-growing employer in all of Ohio,” he said. “How big of an impact that’s going to be is yet to be seen.
“We’re going to export some talent to New Albany, but I don’t think it’s going to crush us.”
Sondra Palivoda, research director for Team NEO, said her organization expects a significant gross regional product increase even before the Intel plant opens.
“Richland County has some advantages to attract and retain workers: location and general affordability,” Palivoda said. “Those who can afford monthly rents of $700 or $1,000 might find Richland County very attractive, as well as its proximity to the other cities across central and northern Ohio.” “For workers who are also used to a 60-minute commute, or who may be employed at the Intel campus or at an adjacent supply-chain company, Richland County can be a beacon.”
Sondra Palivoda Director, Research: Team NEO
How many workers will it take to build Intel?
According to the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, the first phase of the Intel buildout will generate more than 45 million work hours for members of the building trades, with the vast majority of workers being from Ohio.
Rebecca Jonard is training director for the Newark, Ohio electrician apprenticeship program in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Brothers (IBEW) local union 1105. The 1105 covers five full counties and two partial counties, including Licking County and southern Knox County.
“We have an abundance of work right now,” she said. “Intel is expecting to have 6,000 to 7,000 people at the peak of the building phase, which will start in about five months.”
The IBEW allows certified journeyman electricians to accept short-term traveling jobs, but most of the Newark-area apprentices are from the 1105’s jurisdiction.
“The apprenticeships are a four-year process, so there’s a surplus of apprentices and almost a lack of journeymen on some of our jobs. In maybe three years, we’ll be able to turn the tables on that.
“I think everyone knows that Intel is coming to central Ohio, but not everyone understands the amount of people it takes to build Intel. There’s a lot of trades sharing the same stumbling blocks we’re having in finding people and growing really fast.”
Some electricians have been at the Intel site for close to a year since the groundbreaking. Jonard estimated there are about 100 electricians currently at the buildout site.
As of December 2023, Intel had 69 employees from 14 Ohio counties working at the project site, and construction workers from 75 of Ohio’s 88 counties have contributed to the project to date.
“At their peak, they said they will need around 2,500 electricians, but that fluctuates a little bit,” Jonard said. “We truly can’t grow fast enough.”
Team NEO uses cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience. View Privacy Policy