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• First graduating class completes immersive, hands-on microscopy training  
• Equipping students with in-demand skills for careers in semiconductor manufacturing  

Driving the news: Lam Research celebrated the first graduating class of a new Microscopy Technician Training Program, designed to open doors for Portland Community College (PCC) students and professionals interested in exploring a career path in this fast-growing, high-demand field within the semiconductor industry.   

Why it matters: By partnering with PCC to expand workforce development, and with the support of the Governor's office and locally elected officials, Lam is helping attract and prepare the next generation of semiconductor talent in Oregon with advanced technical skills to pursue rewarding careers at Lam and other regional enterprises.   

Zoom in: Participants took part in an eight-week, 32-hour upskilling program combining classroom instruction with hands-on lab experience, held on-site at Lam’s state-of-the-art facilities in Tualatin.  

The intrigue: The program wasn’t just educational; it came with its share of memorable moments.  

• One participant joked that he’s been training for this dexterous role his whole life without realizing it, thanks to the hours spent playing video games. His comment came in response to a question on the application about gaming experience—a nod to the hand-eye coordination required to skillfully operate a microscope with a controller while focusing on capturing subtle image details on a computer screen.  

• Another highlight was an interactive hands-on activity designed to demonstrate how high- and low-energy electrons work using bouncy balls and bean bags. Participants threw balls against a wall, trying to land them in a bucket representing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image detector. A student walked in mid-activity and was immediately dodging stray balls.  A graduating student remarked that “it was hilarious watching everyone try to ‘catch’ their electrons” and that “it was activities like these that made the most complex concepts accessible.” 

What we’re hearing:  

• “Oregon has been a national leader in semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing for decades,” says Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik. “The computers and electronics sector is more important to Oregon than perhaps any other state. Lam has demonstrated its commitment through its partnerships with PCC and the governor’s office to strengthen the region's semiconductor workforce pipeline by providing targeted, hands-on training and creating new career opportunities across the state.” 

• “Microscopy plays a critical role in process control, defect analysis, and product innovation,” says Brian Clay, program manager, Global Operations, Lam. “But more than that—it requires a unique blend of specialized, highly technical skills, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. And that’s what this program delivers.” 

• "When I applied to the program, the idea of working with state-of-the-art tools felt like a dream—and I can honestly say, it exceeded my expectations,” recalls Kristina Henry Hall, civil engineering student, Portland State University. “I still remember walking by the lab on our first day of orientation and finding out we’d be working on a brand-new, million-dollar SEM. At first, I was a little intimidated by the responsibility. But once we stepped into the lab the following week, that fear quickly turned into fascination." 

Zoom out: The advancement of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicles is increasing the need for semiconductor chips, with the industry expected to reach $1 trillion annually in the coming years. Experts estimate approximately a million more semiconductor workers will be needed globally to meet that demand.  

Lam is committed to building the manufacturing workforce of the future through partnerships with community colleges and universities, as well as investments in internships and training programs. In addition to PCC, Lam partners with Clackamas Community College in Oregon, while in Ohio, Silfex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lam Research, partners with Clark State Community College to develop a 40-hour training program that gives students the skills needed for advanced manufacturing.  

Related Articles and Information 

• Learn more about Lam Research’s Microscopy Technician Training Program (MTTP) 

• Three Decades of Lam Research in the Silicon Forest 

• Training the Workforce for a $1 Trillion Semiconductor Industry 

• How Lam Inspires Future Innovators 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements made in this article that are not of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to but are not limited to: market and industry trends; the potential long-term growth of microscopy within the semiconductor industry, and the future growth of the semiconductor industry more broadly; the continued regional and geographic growth of the semiconductor industry; the future benefits and growth resulting from AI; and the future applicability of AI and microscopy, including the related potential future employment opportunities. Some factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include: trade regulations, export controls, trade disputes, and other geopolitical tensions may inhibit our ability to sell our products; business, political and/or regulatory conditions in the consumer electronics industry, the semiconductor industry and the overall economy may deteriorate or change; the actions of our customers and competitors may be inconsistent with our expectations; supply chain cost increases and other inflationary pressures have impacted and may continue to impact our profitability; supply chain disruptions or manufacturing capacity constraints may limit our ability to manufacture and sell our products; and natural and human-caused disasters, disease outbreaks, war, terrorism, political or governmental unrest or instability, or other events beyond our control may impact our operations in affected areas; as well as the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the documents filed or furnished by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including specifically the Risk Factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2025. These uncertainties and changes could materially affect the forward-looking statements and cause actual results to vary from expectations in a material way. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information or statements made in this article.