Advanced Manufacturing continues to be a cornerstone of the metro area’s economy and a source of quality jobs for workers across the greater Portland region. In 2025, Semiconductor Processing Technicians alone accounted for more than 6,500 jobs, earning a median hourly wage of $30.74.

In 2022, the industry was growing fast. We brought together Portland Community College, Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and employers to launch the Quick Start to Semiconductor training, a 10-day “boot camp” that creates immediate access to entry-level jobs.

“Partnering with Quick Start has given Lam Research Tualatin Manufacturing direct access to motivated, well-prepared candidates who are ready to contribute from day one,” says Brian Clay of Lam Research. The program was a win-win for both employers and jobseekers.

Then the market changed. Between 2024 and 2026, the Portland-metro area’s high-tech manufacturing sector lost more than 4,600 jobs. Rather than disbanding the Quick Start program and its expert staff, partners mobilized to support impacted workers through job fairs, career coaching, and training opportunities.

Now, the outlook is beginning to improve. The Quick Start “boot camp” is ramping back up to support the hiring needs of a broad group of employers, including Lam, Tosoh Quartz, Inc., Exentec, Applied Materials, Analog Devices, and Siltronic AG.

This is what’s possible when we intentionally invest in workforce development.

Our own Casey Barnard takes a deeper dive into why workforce infrastructure matters in every economy in this Portland Business Journal article. READ IT HERE.