St. Petersburg College (SPC) has launched a new Semiconductor Cleanroom Operator Certificate, expanding its Semiconductor, Mechatronics, Automation and Robotics Training (SMART) Tech programme to help meet growing workforce demand in the semiconductor industry.
The 18-credit certificate, which begins this autumn, is designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in semiconductor manufacturing while providing a pathway to SPC's Applied Engineering Technology Associate in Science degree.
The programme focuses on semiconductor cleanroom operations, where tightly controlled environments minimise airborne particles and contamination during chip production.
Such facilities are critical to manufacturing semiconductors used in applications including artificial intelligence, medical devices, consumer electronics and industrial automation.
According to Deloitte, the global semiconductor market is projected to reach annual sales of $975bn by 2026.
The certificate is the latest addition to SPC's SMART Tech portfolio, which has received $7.2m in workforce development funding from the State of Florida.
Earlier this year, the college introduced Electronic Assembly Operator and Robotics and Semiconductor Technician training programmes to equip students with industry-recognised skills for advanced manufacturing careers.
SPC said the curriculum was developed in collaboration with employers, including electronics manufacturer Jabil, to ensure training reflects current industry requirements.
Florida has continued to expand its advanced manufacturing sector, with Pinellas County serving as a regional hub for semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing.
Major employers in the area include Jabil, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Plasma-Therm and Bigorre Aerospace.
According to the Florida Department of Commerce, the state's manufacturing sector employed 434,600 people in March 2025, an increase of 5,700 jobs compared with the previous year.
Florida is also home to more than 27,000 manufacturing establishments, up 32% since 2019.
The programme has also received support from the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE), part of FloridaMakes.
FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led public-private partnership that aims to strengthen Florida's economy by improving the productivity, technological capability and competitiveness of the state's manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Representatives from FloridaMakes said industry-aligned education would be essential to developing the state's future manufacturing workforce.
"By aligning their semiconductor and SMART Tech programmes directly with industry needs, they aren't just teaching students; they are building the highly skilled workforce that will power Florida's global competitiveness for decades to come," said Ernie Friend, executive director of FLATE at FloridaMakes.
