Episode 74 · Season 1
Micron’s $100 Billion Plant Needs Veterans and Training Starts Now
Semiconductor manufacturing is coming back to American soil, and the single largest private investment in New York State history needs skilled people to make it real. Greg Banks sits down with Daa’iyah Salaam, Michael Schoeneck, and Lynsey Riffle of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University to map out how veterans and military spouses can step into those careers, starting now.
What you’ll learn:
- What a fab actually is, and why rebuilding domestic chip capacity matters when the US share of semiconductor manufacturing has fallen from about 40 percent in the 1990s to about 12 percent today
- Why military talent fits this industry, with about 67,000 technician and engineer roles projected to go unfilled by 2030 (Semiconductor Industry Association)
- The scale behind it: global semiconductor sales reached $795.6 billion in 2025 and are projected to reach $1.5 trillion in 2026 (Semiconductor Industry Association)
- How the free Semiconductor Foundations course, six modules, online and asynchronous, works as a low-commitment litmus test, with over 1,200 enrolled and enrollment up 110 percent since January
Who it’s for:
Veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and National Guard and Reserve members exploring what comes after the uniform, plus the employers, families, and advocates who support them.
Guest + credibility:
Daa’iyah Salaam is the Career Preparation Program Manager for the Micron Project at IVMF, connecting military-connected talent to a partnership backed by Micron’s $3 million investment, now just shy of three years old. Michael Schoeneck, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, has spent 14 years at the institute, whose employment programs show an 82 percent six-month retention rate. Lynsey Riffle, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, leads the effort to connect military families to IVMF’s programs from 18 physical locations serving 65 military communities, plus a global online model.
Primary CTA:
If you or someone you love is transitioning out of the military, take the free Semiconductor Foundations course and see if this industry is your next mission.
Recommended Links & Resources:
- Daa’iyah Salaam on LinkedIn
- Michael Schoeneck on LinkedIn
- Lynsey Riffle on LinkedIn
- D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
- Semiconductor Foundations course
- SIA 2026 State of the Semiconductor Industry
- Greg Banks on LinkedIn
- Jason Fowler Music
- Cirrius Solutions: https://cirriussolutions.com/podcast (Use this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.)
- The Military Minute Episodes
- Any Questions: Reach out to us at CirriusTalk@cirriussolutions.com
We cover
- Understanding the Semiconductor Industry
- The Importance of Military Talent in Tech
- The Role of Micron in Workforce Development
- Strategic Importance of Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Building a Skilled Workforce for the Future
- Partnerships and Early Investments in Talent
Chapters
- 0:47Introduction to IVMF and Its Mission
- 3:15Understanding the Semiconductor Industry
- 6:22The Importance of Military Talent in Tech
- 9:07The Role of Micron in Workforce Development
- 11:35Strategic Importance of Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing
- 14:09Building a Skilled Workforce for the Future
- 16:46Partnerships and Early Investments in Talent
- 19:29Foundations Course: Bridging the Gap to Employment
- 25:13Building Pathways to Employment
- 28:48The Semiconductor Hub: Connecting Opportunities
- 31:40Diverse Roles in Semiconductor Manufacturing
- 34:29Entrepreneurship and Economic Impact
- 37:16Preparing for Future Opportunities
- 39:33The Role of IVMF in Workforce Development
- 44:00Introduction to the Semiconductor Industry and Veterans’ Transition
- 44:48Opportunities in the Semiconductor Foundations Course
Daa’iyah Salaam, Michael Schoeneck, and Lynsey Riffle
Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), Syracuse University
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