The Highly Automated (Manufacturing) Systems Technician skill standards were developed in 2002 as a national effort by the Maricopa Advanced Technology Center with major funding from the Intel Foundation and supported in part by the National Science Foundation. Companies whose personnel contributed to the development of the skill standards include AMD, Texas Instruments, IBM, Applied Materials, and National Semiconductor.

Importance to Texas

The Highly Automated (Manufacturing) Systems Technician skill standards provide a foundation for advanced manufacturing educational programs and are critical to prepare a highly skilled, highly technical workforce in Texas, particularly in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

The Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing industry is one of six industries included in the Texas Industry Cluster Initiative, which is leading the state toward realizing a vision to build the future economy of the state by focusing on strengthening competitive advantage.

According to the website www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com (June, 2010) the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) indicates that Texas employed 812,500 in the manufacturing sector in December 2009, accounting for approximately 8 percent of the state’s total nonagricultural employment. Between 25,000 and 32,000 industrial machinery mechanics are included in the total overall state manufacturing employment.

Highly automated manufacturing systems technicians ensure that the manufacturing system fulfills customer and business requirements. They install and repair equipment on the manufacturing floor. According to Texas Workforce Commission labor market information data, industrial machinery mechanics earn an average hourly wage of $20.52. The occupation is expected to grow steadily but it is also expected to have a strong requirement to fill openings created each year to replace workers who leave the occupation either through new employment or through retirement

TSSB Recognition

The Austin Area Semiconductor Executive Council (SEC) requested on behalf of SEC’s membership that the TSSB recognize the Highly Automated (Manufacturing) Systems Technician skill standards. The skill standards were recognized at the TSSB’s March 2, 2004 meeting.

The skill standards’ TSSB recognition was extended at the October 21, 2008 meeting at the request of the Maricopa Advanced Technology Center, based on continual use and review by industry and training providers as assurances of the skill standards’ ongoing validity and accuracy.