DeSantis promotes semiconductor workforce growth, budget proposal for technical training

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted his goals to boost semiconductor chip manufacturing through workforce education and training in his 2024 budget proposal Friday.

He gave remarks on the topic during a press conference in Kissimmee.

The governor’s Focus on Florida’s Future 2024 budget proposal consists of $80 million for the Florida Semiconductor Institute at the University of Florida to support workforce and research development in order to improve “advanced packaging, artificial intelligence and assurance.”

DeSantis emphasized the importance of semiconductor manufacturing, relating it to the desire that China has to control Taiwan, a large producer of the technology.

“That’s something that would have major impacts on the entire economy, throughout the entire world, if you were able to see the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] take over that industry, let alone Taiwan,” he said.

He continued to explain the importance of bolstering domestic manufacturing of the chips within the United States and specifically in Florida.

“We are working really hard to equip student with the skills necessary to succeed in these fields,” he said. “Our high school students are graduating with certifications, state colleges are geared towards a lot of the high demand fields and these are things that are important.”

“So we’re proud of that,” DeSantis said. “So I think our approach with semiconductors, compared to Washington, and I think Washington is trying to pick winners and losers and I think there’s a lot of perils in that, we’re saying, let’s create a solid foundation in Florida.”

“Invest in in the critical infrastructure, invest in workforce development in the talent pipeline, that’s ultimately how you’re going to be able to expand this industry here in the state of Florida and the fact that we’re now number five in employment, no one would have thought that was possible probably 15 or 20 years ago and here we are doing that,” he added.

In July 2022, Congress passed the CHIPS Act, President Joe Biden ultimately signed into law. The legislation provided roughly $280 billion to help bolster the United States’ production and research on semiconductor chips to compete globally.