National Institute of Standards and Technology | U.S. Department of Commerce 1

CHIPS for America 

Opportunity and Inclusion Roundtable Series:

Veteran Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention

August 30, 2023
National Institute of Standards and Technology | U.S. Department of Commerce 2

CHIPS for America Vision

Economic 

Security

The CHIPS Act will 

strengthen supply chain 

security and increase 

economic resilience in critical 

sectors.

National 

Security

The CHIPS Act will ensure 

that the U.S. can 

manufacture advanced 

technologies, including 

secure chips for the U.S. 

military.

Future 

Innovation

The CHIPS Act will spur 

innovation, increase 

competitiveness, and 

ensure long-term U.S. 

leadership in the sector
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To achieve this vision, the Department

is prioritizing applications with workforce 

plans that...

Employ a whole of society approach—bringing together government, employers, 

training providers, workforce and economic development organizations, communitybased groups, education and training institutions, labor unions and more

Work with partners to build a skilled, diverse workforce that can construct and 

then operate facilities

Develop plans that best meet the needs of their workforce, their region, and 

their project
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National Institute of Standards and Technology | U.S. Department of Commerce 4

Inclusive Workforce Development

Inclusion of 

women and 

economically 

disadvantaged 

individuals 

Commitments to opportunities and inclusion are critical to the success of the CHIPS 

program.
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Inclusive Workforce Development Vision

The CHIPS & Science Act will:

Grow the economy of the United States and support job 

creation in the United States; 

Promote the inclusion of historically and economically 

disadvantaged communities; and 

Contribute to community-based economic development and 

empowerment as well as innovation and supply chain 

resiliency within the semiconductor industry. 
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Today's Panel
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Panelists 

Kylie Patterson

Senior Advisor for 

Opportunity and Inclusion, 

CHIPS for America

Kristopher Rick

Training and Partnership Lead, 

DOL Veteran's Employment and 

Training Services

Kate Alcott

Director of Workforce Programs, 

Vet S.T.E.P.

Amy Thomas

National Director of Military &

Veterans Initiatives, 

Manufacturing Institute

Matti-Lynn Chrisman

CRM Specialist,

Helmets to Hardhats

By inviting the participation of external organizations, the CHIPS Program 

Office does not endorse the views of the organizations or their presenters
U.S. Department of Labor

Veterans Employment and Training Services

DOL VETS is the lead Federal Agency in Veteran Employment

• FY2022: 2,800+ DOL VETS staff, contractors, and grantees served

440,000+ veterans and military spouses across all Agency programs

VETS leverages all DOL 

agencies/resources on behalf of 

veteran employment, transitioning 

service members and military spouses

VETS is the voice of DOL in the veteran employment space and the voice for veterans within DOL

Six Regional Offices

• Regional Veteran Employment

Coordinator (RVECs)

• VETS staff in all 50 states and territories

Kristopher Rick

Training and Partnership Lead

US DOL / VETS 

Rick.kristopher.a@dol.gov

202-693-8143
Vet S.T.E.P. (Semiconductor Training & Experience Program)

Vet S.T.E.P. (Semiconductor 

Training & Experience Program) 

is a DoD SkillBridge and an Army 

Career Skills Program, funded by 

the National Science Foundation 

(NSF), hosted by NY CREATES 

and designed to prepare soon-tobe veterans for technician 

careers in the semiconductor 

ecosystem (fabs, equipment 

and/or material suppliers).

This 10-week program consists 

of a two-week, hands-on training 

at our Nanotech Center followed 

by an 8-week internship with one 

of our company partners.

For More Information:

Kate Alcott, Director of Workforce Programs

NY CREATES

alcottk@sunypoly.edu
Our Mission

To build connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry

Training Program

Provides participants with the skills and 

certifications they need to build a rewarding 

career in manufacturing

Traditional Cohort

• Certified Production

Technician (CPT)

• Mechatronics

• Certified Logistics Technician (CLT)

Remote Cohort Model

• Certified Production

Technician (CPT)

• OSHA 10

• Virtual Reality Labs

• Certified Logistics

Technician (CLT)

• OSHA 30

• Virtual Reality Labs

Military to Manufacturing

In-person and Virtual Events 

Directly connecting the military community with 

manufacturers who are hiring

Heroes Connect Events

Virtual and In-Person Career Fairs 

Veteran Learning Series 

Plant Tours 

Manufacturer Resources

Preparing manufacturers to welcome this talent 

into their workforce 

Employer Learning Series

Best Practice 

Sharing

Manufacturer

Advisory Committee

For more information, Amy Thomas, National Director, Military & Veterans Initiatives – athomas@nam.org
HELMETS TO HARDHATS

National non-profit assisting men and women in uniform navigate 

the way to careers within the organized building trades.

2022

Over 10,000 Career 

Seekers with H2H 

2023

On track to reach 15,000 

Career Seekers

• 100k Career Opportunities

• Debt-Free Education

• On-the-job training, hands-on learning, classroom instruction 

• Earn while you learn - Good Wages & Benefits starting on day 1!

• Utilize your GI Bill Benefits

Matti-Lynn Chrisman, CRM Specialist 

mchrisman@helmetstohardhats.org
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Next Steps
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Next Steps

• Visit CHIPS.gov for resources, including:

• Workforce Development Planning Guide

• Applicant guides and templates

• FAQs and fact sheets

• Join our Teaming Partner List

• Sign up

• Register for future webinars

• Join our mailing list

• Contact us

• askchips@chips.gov – General inquiries

• apply@chips.gov – Application-related inquiries
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Thank you