RCS News

Middle School Students Tour GlobalFoundries Campus

Twenty-eight RCS middle-school students participated in the April 2012 Workforce Development Program at the recently-opened GlobalFoundries campus, thanks to a Bender Family Foundation grant secured by Stars Intergen Inc.

Middle school technology teacher Jared Bevington arranged for his class to tour the Malta facility, the largest leading-edge semiconductor foundry in the United States, on April 17. The group viewed a presentation that provided an overview of the semiconductor industry and GlobalFoundries’ role in creating computer microchips through the use of cutting-edge technology. The students learned that the computers and electronic devices they use everyday would not be possible without microchips.

A Human Resources staff member spoke to the students about the different careers available at GlobalFoundries and the qualities that the company expects employees to have. He stressed communication, teamwork, responsibility and reliability as key attributes. Many of the jobs will require at least a two-year associate’s degree in electronics or semiconductor manufacturing. GlobalFoundries collaborates with Hudson Valley Community College’s TEC-SMART Campus, which also is based in Malta. The facility also hires technicians, cooks, maintenance staff and other support personnel.

Several speakers talked to the students about the process of making microchips from start to finish. The students examined the different materials used and observed the operations needed to make the microchips. Staff members who work in the clean room facility have to wear special outfits for ten to twelve hours daily. One group of students was able to try on the clean room outfits.
“Bevington said, “Overall the experience for the students was great. They had the opportunity to see a major computer microchip manufacturing facility that is essentially in their backyard (the Capital District). I hope students were able to see that this could be a great place to start a career in the technology field.”

The GlobalFoundries tour was made possible through the generosity of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s Bender Family Foundation. Stars Intergen Inc., a nonprofit agency that collaborates with the RCS School District, secured the grant to give RCS middle and high school students opportunities to learn about computer science careers and careers in medicine and other fields that require computing skills.