Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology - VAST

04/08/2026

What if your next best hire is sitting in a 5th grade classroom right now?

Not in a job fair. Not in a pipeline. Not even thinking about your industry yet.
Just… waiting to be inspired.

Every future technician, engineer, operator, entrepreneur, and problem-solver starts somewhere. And more often than not, it starts in a classroom.

But here’s the reality:
If we don’t spark that curiosity early…we don’t just lose talent.
We lose innovation.
We lose opportunity.
We lose entire communities.

The good news?

It doesn’t take a massive investment to change that.

Even the smallest actions from local businesses can create real impact:
→ Exposure
→ Inspiration
→ Real-world connection

And the return? Talent. Innovation. Community resilience.

If you believe in building the future workforce—not just hiring it—this is worth sharing.

02/24/2026

Ever find yourself saying “just one more episode”… and suddenly it’s midnight? 😅

Streaming feels like magic — billions of shows, moments, and stories moving instantly through the air.

But here’s the wild part 👇
Every show you watch is really just ones and zeros — tiny electric pulses, moving at incredible speed, made possible by semiconductor materials and devices working behind the scenes.

In this video, Satoru Emori, Associate Professor at Virginia Tech College of Engineering, makes the invisible visible and shows how deep science and engineering power everyday life.

It’s a fun reminder that the technology shaping our world is often the technology we never see. 🎥⚡

02/05/2026

📣 FTSC Update — Registration Extended

We’ve extended registration for the Spring FTSC cohort and updated the program start date to ensure broader access.

✅ Registration now closes: February 22, 2026
✅ Program start date: February 23, 2026

If you previously visited our site and saw an earlier deadline, please revisit — all webpages have been updated with the correct information.

We look forward to welcoming our next cohort into Virginia’s semiconductor ecosystem.
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ekSMRHQk

🚨 BIG NEWS: Spring 2026 FTSC Registration Is Now Open! 🚨

Ready to transform your career in just 10 weeks?

Spring Session:
📅 Feb 9 - May 1
🚪 Registration closes Feb 2nd!
Locations:
✅ UVA, VT, VCU, ODU(Chip Fab)
✅ VT-Arlington (Packaging)
✅ NEW: Lectures-only & Labs-only options!

Pricing:
💰 $600 (Military)
💰 $2,000 (Students/Teachers)
💰 $5,000 (Full)

No engineering degree required. 60% of our students start without one!

Watch this FTSC student testimony, then go register today! 🎥⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj6JI9iUoXY

Register today! https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ftsc-spring26&utm_content=registration-opens

01/20/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS: Spring 2026 FTSC Registration Is Now Open! 🚨

Ready to transform your career in just 10 weeks?

Spring Session:
📅 Feb 9 - May 1
🚪 Registration closes Feb 2nd!
Locations:
✅ UVA, VT, VCU, ODU(Chip Fab)
✅ VT-Arlington (Packaging)
✅ NEW: Lectures-only & Labs-only options!

Pricing:
💰 $600 (Military)
💰 $2,000 (Students/Teachers)
💰 $5,000 (Full)

No engineering degree required. 60% of our students start without one!

Watch this FTSC student testimony, then go register today! 🎥⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj6JI9iUoXY

Register today! https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ftsc-spring26&utm_content=registration-opens

09/18/2025

🇺🇸 VAST is headed to Fort Belvoir! Join us October 8th!

We're excited to support the Military Spouse & Veteran Entrepreneurship & Small Business Expo at the National Museum of the US Army.

FREE event featuring:
✅ Business development resources
✅ Entrepreneurship guidance
✅ Professional networking
✅ Career pathway exploration
✅ Professional headshots

When: October 8, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: National Museum of the US Army, Fort Belvoir, VA

Whether you're starting a business or exploring new career opportunities, come connect with the VAST team about semiconductor pathways for military families!

Your military skills + our training = amazing career opportunities 💪

Info: [email protected]

09/16/2025

💼 Career Tip: The semiconductor industry thrives on connections!

Start building your network by:

✅ Joining IEEE local chapters
✅ Attending Virginia tech meetups
✅ Connecting with VAST alumni on LinkedIn
✅ Following industry leaders on social media

One conversation can open doors you never knew existed!

09/11/2025

Inspiring the Next Generation: VAST at STEM EIC Chip Camp

Our Associate Director of Operations, Dr. Prabesh Dulal joined Micron Technology 's Dr. Amy Henecke at STEM Education and Innovation Chip Camp, bringing hands-on semiconductor experiences to 8th and 9th graders.

Students:
→ Simulated wafer fabrication
→ Conducted real experiments
→ Explored chip careers they’d never considered

Thank you STEMEIC, Northern Virginia Community College, and Micron for this transformational week.

08/27/2025

🎓 From Theory to Practice: A Student's Journey in Semiconductor Innovation

When you combine hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, real cleanroom training, and expert instruction, you get life-changing results. Don't believe us?

Hear first-hand how the Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers (FTSC) program is preparing Virginia's next generation of hashtag professionals through intensive 10-week certificate courses in Chip Fabrication and Semiconductor Packaging.

✨ What makes FTSC different:

- Real lab experience with the same equipment used by industry leaders
- Multiple delivery options - full program or online lectures to start
- 7 convenient locations across Virginia
- Designed for veterans, adult learners, and career changers
- Proven pathway to employment with companies like Northrop Grumman

The results speak for themselves: 87 certificates awarded, 24 students currently enrolled, and graduates landing roles as Semiconductor Technicians at leading defense contractors.

🚀 Ready to fast-track your semiconductor career? Registration for Fall 2025 FTSC is opening soon! Secure your spot in this transformative program.

https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html

UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science

08/27/2025

🚀 Why Choose Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers (FTSC) Program?
The Smart Career Move Explained:

✅ SPEED: 10 weeks → Industry-ready (vs. 4+ years for traditional degrees)
✅ VALUE: $5,000 total cost (vs. $10,000+ elsewhere)
✅ RESULTS: Hands-on training with million-dollar equipment used by industry
✅ CONNECTIONS: Priority interviews with Northrop Grumman & Micron
✅ FLEXIBILITY: 6 Virginia locations + online option
✅ SUPPORT: WIOA funding available (qualifying individuals pay $0) and discount codes for student, teachers & military-connected individuals.

Bottom line: In 10 weeks, you'll master skills that take years elsewhere, graduate debt-free, and gain access to Virginia's growing semiconductor job market.

Why wait 4 years when you can transform your career in 10 weeks?

Register by Monday, Sept 1st:
https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html

HURRY! Only 5 days left and seats are limited!

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08/21/2025

⚡ FINAL WEEKS: Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers Fall 2025 ⚡

Registration closes September 1st - Limited seats remaining!

🎯 Choose Your Path:

Track 1: Chip Fabrication & Nano-Characterization → Master cleanroom operations and advanced lithography → Hands-on training with million-dollar equipment → Learn the processes used by major semiconductor manufacturers

Track 2: Semiconductor Packaging & Characterization → Design and build semiconductor packages from concept to testing → State-of-the-art equipment training and simulation tools → Master electrical/thermal analysis and reliability testing

🌟 Program Highlights:
✅ 10-week intensive certification (September 8 - November 21)
✅ 7 locations across Virginia + online lectures-only option
✅ Nearly 100 professionals trained with proven job placement success
✅ IEEE microcredentials are recognized industry-wide
✅ Priority recruiter interviews with partners like Northrop Grumman and Micron

💰 Flexible pricing:
- Military-connected: $500
- Students/Teachers: $2,000
- WIOA approved (Packaging track - $0 for qualifying veterans)

"Transitioning from a Walmart job to Semiconductor Technician at Northrop Grumman is life-changing for me and my family." - Shiva Adhikari, FTSC Graduate

Don't wait - seats are filling fast and the next opportunity isn't until Spring 2026.

Register by September 1st:
https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ftsc-fall25&utm_content=registration-opens



Virginia Tech Bradley Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University
UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science
George Mason University
Old Dominion University
Norfolk State University

08/13/2025

Breaking News 🚀 MAJOR CAREER OPPORTUNITY ALERT! 🚀

Northrop Grumman now GUARANTEES informational interviews for all eligible FTSC graduates!

This is HUGE for Virginia's semiconductor talent pipeline! 🔬

⚡ READ more below:

https://vast-alliance.org/news/northrop-grumman-guarantees-interviews-for-ftsc-graduates.html

What this means for YOU:
✅ Complete the Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers (FTSC) program
✅ Get a guaranteed virtual informational interview with Northrop Grumman
✅ Potential pathway to roles at their Microelectronics Center

Open positions include:
- Summer 2026 STEM Internships
- Full-time Engineering Positions
- Full-time Technician Roles

Success Story: "I went from working in retail to a career in tech that's exciting and meaningful. This program opened a door I didn't know existed."
- Shiva Adhikari, FTSC Graduate

Ready to launch your semiconductor career?
🎯 Fall FTSC session: September 8th - November 21st
⏰ Register by September 1st
🎓 10-week program, hands-on training
💼 Direct pathway to employment

Whether you're a recent graduate, veteran, or career changer - this could be your gateway to the semiconductor industry! Register today!



Big thanks to Northrop Grumman Careers for your continued partnership!

Go Virginia Region 7
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Virginia IPC