Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and strategies related to the U.S. semiconductor industry, emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce, competitive wages, and the rebuilding of manufacturing capacity to address the decline in domestic chip production [1][2][3]. Group 1: Legislative and Financial Support - The Biden administration introduced the CHIPS and Science Act to revitalize the domestic semiconductor manufacturing sector, with over $37 billion allocated to 32 companies and 48 projects [1]. - The legislation is seen as a necessary step for national security and manufacturing revitalization, but it is only the beginning of addressing semiconductor challenges [1]. Group 2: Workforce Development Challenges - There is a significant shortage of skilled labor in the semiconductor industry, making it as difficult to staff wafer fabs as it is to build them [2]. - Companies often recruit from a limited talent pool, leading to challenges in training and retaining skilled workers, which hinders private sector investment in necessary training [2]. - The median wage for electronic product manufacturing workers is $24 per hour, which is lower than that of mechanics and welders, complicating competitiveness in the global market [2]. Group 3: Manufacturing Capacity and Supply Chain Issues - The U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity has been declining for decades, necessitating a rebuild of the industry [3]. - The complexity of the manufacturing supply chain, including the need for components like printed circuit boards, poses additional challenges [3]. - Without a clear plan for utilizing new domestic semiconductor resources, there is a risk of surplus chips without a market [3]. Group 4: Future Manufacturing Strategies - The U.S. faces a choice between investing in rebuilding electronic manufacturing capabilities or relying on a distributed global assembly model, often referred to as "friend-shoring" [4]. - Establishing a friend-shoring assembly system could help integrate U.S. design expertise with lower-cost labor, potentially reshaping the current international manufacturing landscape [4].
美国芯片,难的还在后台