Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology
VAST Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization Certification
VAST Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization Certification prepares students for semiconductor, nanotechnology, and electronics industry careers through extensive hands-on training on state-of-the-art techniques used to develop today’s most advanced semiconductor chips. Students will learn how to design, fabricate, and test advanced semiconductor chips through extensive hands-on training. Students will learn about the principles and processes used by large semiconductor manufacturers as well as semiconductor startups.
NEXT COHORT: SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
Full certification requires successful completion of both online lectures and in-person labs. The full program runs 10 weeks and includes 40 hours of lectures and up to 60 hours of hands-on, in person lab training. Upon completion of the program, participants will be ready for entry-level engineering and technician positions in the semiconductor industry. Participants will receive a VAST Lectures microcredential, a VAST Labs microcredential, and full VAST Chip Fabrication certification.
Lectures are held asynchronously. Labs are held at multiple locations around Virginia and with multiple time options. When registering, choose your location and lab time.
Location 1: George Mason University, Manassas
- Lab 1: Mondays 9am-1pm
Location 2: Old Dominion University, Norfolk
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 3: University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 4: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 5: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-5pm
Registration closes September 1. REGISTER
Our Lectures Only path is designed for individuals seeking a theoretical understanding of semiconductor chip fabrication, nanotechnology, and electronics. This version of the program focuses on lectures that provide a comprehensive overview of the principles and processes used in the semiconductor industry, without hands-on lab training. Upon completion of this program, you will receive a VAST Lectures microcredential and be eligible to take hands-on lab training in a future cohort, if you so desire.
Lectures are held asynchronously.
Registration closes September 1. REGISTER
This path is open only to those that have already completed the Lectures Only path. Labs Only provides extensive hands-on training on state-of-the-art techniques used to develop today’s most advanced semiconductor chips. The program includes equipment maintenance training, equipping students with basic skills to maintain and troubleshoot fabrication tools and systems.
Labs are held at multiple locations around Virginia and with multiple time options. When registering, choose your location and lab time.
Location 1: George Mason University, Manassas
- Lab 1: Mondays 9am-1pm
Location 2: Old Dominion University, Norfolk
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 3: University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 4: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-11am
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm
Location 5: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
- Lab 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm
- Lab 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-5pm
VAST Semiconductor Packaging and Characterization Certification
VAST Semiconductor Packaging and Characterization Certification prepares students for careers in the semiconductor and electronics industry by teaching the principles of semiconductor packaging. Students will learn about the fundamental electrical, thermal, reliability, materials considerations and tradeoffs, and state-of-the-art technologies, processes, and tools. Students will learn how to design, build, test semiconductor packages and gain hands-on packaging experience in labs using state-of-the-art equipment.
NEXT COHORT: SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
Full certification requires successful completion of both online lectures and in-person labs. The full program runs 10 weeks and includes 40 hours of lectures and up to 40 hours of hands-on, in person lab training. Upon completion of the program, participants will be ready for entry-level engineering and technician positions in the semiconductor industry. Participants will receive a VAST Lectures microcredential, a VAST Labs microcredential, and full VAST Packaging certification.
NEXT COHORT: SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
Lectures are held online asynchronously. Labs are held at multiple locations around Virginia and with multiple time options. When registering, choose your location and lab time.
Location 1: Virginia Tech Research Center, Arlington
- Lab 1: Thursdays 8am-12 pm
- Lab 2: Thursdays 3pm-7pm
Location 2: Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington
- Lab Option 1: Wednesdays 5pm-9 pm
Registration open soon. Registration closes September 1. REGISTER
If these lab hours are not feasible for your schedule, please contact us at info@vast-alliance.org, suggesting a schedule that may work better for you.
Although we recommend taking lectures and labs simultaneously, you also have the option of attending lectures only. Students will learn about the fundamental electrical, thermal, reliability, materials considerations and tradeoffs, and state-of-the-art technologies, processes, and tools. Virtual demonstrations of laboratory processing and characterization will accompany the lecture discussions. Upon completion of this program, you will receive a VAST Lectures microcredential and be eligible to take hands-on lab training in a future cohort, if you so desire.
NEXT COHORT: SEPTEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
Lectures are held online asynchronously.
Registration open soon. Registration closes September 1. REGISTER
This path is open only to those that have already completed the Lectures Only path. Students will learn about fundamental electrical, thermal, and material properties of these devices and how to consider reliability issues. They will apply these in a lab with state-of-the-art technologies, processes, and tools through hands-on operation, applications, and maintenance/repair.
Labs are held at multiple locations around Virginia and with multiple time options. When registering, choose your location and lab time.
Location 1: Virginia Tech Research Center, Arlington
- Lab 1: Thursdays 8am-12 pm
- Lab 2: Thursdays 3pm-7pm
Location 2: Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington
- Lab Option 1: Wednesdays 5pm-9 pm
