Government assistance could include “enhanced support for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate STEM education (with a particular focus on semiconductor technology), targeted technical training, internship and apprenticeship programs, and cooperative education programs,” according to NIST’s request for information.

The outreach effort was sparked by President Donald Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy, and its concerns about the impact of semiconductor-dependent technologies, like encryption, advanced computing, and artificial intelligence, on U.S. economic growth and security.

Among the specific issues those submitting information are asked to consider include:

• The types of technical positions for which hiring is most difficult

• Educational levels at which hiring is most difficult

• Expected changes in staffing levels over the next five to 15 years

• Skillsets that are likely to grow in importance

• Things your company is doing to bring people into the tech workforce

• Ideas for ways of stimulating semiconductor workforce growth

• Thoughts on apprenticeship programs

The full request for information is published in the Federal Register here. Written comments should be submitted by email to semiwkfc@nist.gov.