The U.S. semiconductor industry is on track to face a shortfall of 146,000 engineers and technicians by 2029, with the broader tech sector anticipating a 1.4 million worker deficit by 2030. At the same time, thousands of high-potential students leave college just short of graduation due to small financial barriers In this session, Erika Gabrielle Hansen, Strategic Initiatives Manager at Applied Materials, joins two Momentum Scholars to explore how targeted, last-mile funding is unlocking degrees, launching careers, and expanding the semiconductor talent pipeline. Powered by Applied Materials in partnership with the Last Mile Education Fund, the Momentum Fund provides gap funding to students within four semesters of graduation in high-demand fields like semiconductor engineering, materials science, and robotics. With an average investment of under $3,000, the fund has achieved a 100% graduation rate among its initial cohort. Panelists will share their personal journeys from financial uncertainty to professional success, illustrating how small, timely investments can yield transformative outcomes for individuals and the innovation economy. The session will also introduce the Semiconductor Collective Fund, a national expansion of the model aligned with CHIPS Act priorities and aiming to graduate 6,700 new professionals by 2030. This is a must-attend conversation for workforce leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders seeking scalable, inclusive solutions to close the talent gap and fuel American innovation.
