Focusing on the workforce will turn the CHIPS Act into a high-tech triumph

The CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law a year ago, earmarking nearly $53 billion to reinvigorate the U.S. semiconductor industry. Now comes the tough part: strategic implementation and oversight.

The growth of well-paying manufacturing jobs has been one of the selling points for CHIPS. But creating jobs should not be the primary lens through which we view this act. While employment opportunities are a welcome byproduct, the primary goal should be to elevate the U.S. as a leader in high-tech manufacturing. Building a workforce to staff the new chip factories will be where the bill succeeds or fails.