George Mason University Brings Chip Fabrication Training to Northern Virginia
- lisa.shapiro
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
New site at Mason adds critical capacity as demand continues to outpace supply across the Commonwealth
George Mason University (GMU), one of the original founding academic members, has joined the Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST) network as our newest Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers (FTSC) training site. With the opening of GMU's state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, VAST will launch its Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano-Characterization certificate program at this location starting Fall 2025.
A Growing Network Serving Virginia
Since VAST was established in June 2023, the program has been building Virginia's first coordinated, statewide semiconductor workforce training network. The Fast Track program launched formally in Fall 2024 at three university sites and has rapidly expanded to meet overwhelming demand. With GMU's addition, FTSC now operates at seven universities across the commonwealth:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Norfolk State University, Norfolk
Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Arlington
Virginia Military Institute, Lexington
George Mason University, Manassas (NEW - Fall 2025)
Complete Northern Virginia Coverage
The GMU site represents a significant milestone for Northern Virginia's semiconductor workforce development. Students in the region now have access to both FTSC certificate tracks:
Chip Fabrication and Nano-Characterization at George Mason University
Semiconductor Packaging and Characterization at Virginia Tech Arlington
This comprehensive coverage ensures that Northern Virginia professionals, including the region's substantial military-connected community, can access world-class semiconductor training close to home.
A Student's Journey Across Tracks
The program's flexibility and quality are exemplified by one of our recent students - a George Mason University graduate who completed our Semiconductor Packaging and Characterization certificate at Virginia Tech Arlington this past spring. Impressed by the hands-on training and industry relevance, they've now enrolled in the Chip Fabrication course at GMU for Fall 2025, demonstrating the complementary nature of both certification tracks.
Chip Fabrication Training: From Theory to Practice
The Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano-Characterization certificate provides 10 weeks of intensive, hands-on training in the processes used by major semiconductor manufacturers. Students learn to:
Master cleanroom safety protocols and work safely in semiconductor fabrication environments
Understand and operate vacuum systems critical to chip manufacturing
Design masks and transfer patterns using advanced lithography techniques
Deposit thin films using physical and chemical vapor deposition processes
Analyze semiconductor products through advanced characterization tools
This curriculum directly addresses industry needs, with graduates finding immediate interview opportunities at companies like Northrop Grumman, where recent graduate Shiva Adhikari now works as a Semiconductor Technician.
Meeting Unprecedented Demand
The expansion to GMU comes as FTSC continues to experience demand that significantly outpaces our current capacity. From our pilot cohort providing 1,500 hours of hands-on experience, we've scaled to 30,000 hours annually across our network - but waitlists persist at multiple sites.
Military-affiliated participants have more than doubled in recent cohorts, reflecting growing awareness in military communities of semiconductor careers as a natural fit for their technical backgrounds and security clearance advantages.
IEEE Microcredentials: Industry-Recognized Certification
All FTSC certificates are now backed by IEEE microcredentials, providing students with industry-recognized verification of their semiconductor skills and knowledge. This enhancement adds significant value for employers seeking qualified technicians and for students building their professional credentials.
Accessibility at the Core
The GMU expansion is fundamentally about accessibility - bringing high-quality semiconductor training closer to where Virginia's tech workforce lives and works. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia's technology corridor, GMU's nanofabrication facility provides state-of-the-art training infrastructure for the region's growing semiconductor industry. With 75% of Virginia's semiconductor companies located in Northern Virginia, the GMU site positions our graduates at the center of industry opportunity while serving the defense and technology contractors that make the region a national security hub.
Looking Forward
As Virginia, ranked as the top state for business by CNBC, accelerates its efforts to attract tech industries worldwide, VAST continues to grow its reach to every corner of Virginia, creating the necessary tech talent pipeline in semiconductors that these expansions require. The addition of GMU this fall represents just the beginning of the program's planned growth to meet Virginia's semiconductor workforce needs.
Whether NoVa residents are a career changer, military veteran, or recent graduate, FTSC provides a direct pathway to high-demand careers in one of America's most critical industries. Program graduates aren't just finding jobs - they're building careers in technology that strengthens both Virginia's economy and national security.
Registration for Fall 2025 is now open at all FTSC sites. Learn more here: vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.
For questions about the GMU program specifically, contact us at info@vast-alliance.org.
The Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST) is a statewide consortium of higher education institutions supporting semiconductor industry workforce development and research. Founded in 2023 with GO Virginia funding, VAST operates training programs across seven university campuses while maintaining partnerships with major industry employers throughout the commonwealth.