US, Japan launch workforce development exchange to recruit and retain talent in high-tech manufacturing sector

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent Parton is visiting Japan Feb. 20-24 to facilitate technical exchanges on workforce strategies for advanced manufacturing and the semiconductor sub-sector in the two nations. 

In Fukuoka and Kumamoto – centers of international semiconductor production – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Parton met with workforce development experts at Japanese firms and international affiliates in Japan, including firms that seek to build a U.S. presence and ties with U.S. institutions. These firms shared ways in which they recruit and develop a skilled workforce and ensure that workforce training keeps pace with technological advancement. 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Parton also engaged with several universities in Kyushu that are developing innovative semiconductor-related curricula for the next generation of professionals in this rapidly growing industry.

"President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda seeks to foster a highly skilled workforce capable of reestablishing U.S. technological leadership in leading-edge semiconductor design, production and packaging,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent Parton. “Learning from Japan’s proven approach to upskilling and training its workforce in this sector will be invaluable as we build a globally competitive advanced manufacturing base and create good-paying jobs here in the United States.”

“The Department of Labor’s collaboration with Japan will further enhance ongoing bilateral efforts to bolster the semiconductor workforce and our countries’ cooperation in this critical sector,” said Chuka Asike, the Principal Officer to the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka.

The visit aims to build and strengthen partnerships between the Japanese and U.S. governments and with industry, labor, and education leaders, practitioners and workers to sustain the resilience of each nation’s respective semiconductor sector and critical supply chains.