College of Western Idaho (CWI) joined Micron Technology, Inc. on Feb. 19 to celebrate 12 apprentices who completed the company’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and to welcome 11 new apprentices as Idaho’s fifth cohort officially signed on.
The ceremony recognized Cohort 3 graduates and marked the beginning of Cohort 5’s journey, highlighting the continued growth of a partnership that is strengthening Idaho’s semiconductor workforce through hands on education and career connected learning.
Micron leaders shared the company’s commitment to expanding nontraditional pathways into semiconductor careers and investing in local talent as manufacturing continues to grow in Idaho and across the U.S.
Through Micron’s earn-while-you-learn program, students gain hands-on experience as Process, Equipment, or Lab Technicians while completing an approved technical certificate or two-year associate degree at CWI. Apprentices receive competitive wages, health benefits, progressive pay increases, and tuition coverage.
The structure creates a direct pathway from classroom to career, combining rigorous technical instruction with real world application inside Micron’s Idaho fabrication facilities.
The program is made possible through collaboration between Micron, CWI, and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA), whose support helps scale registered apprenticeships within the semiconductor industry.
A central component of the program’s success is CWI’s Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program and new Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology program, which equips students with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in technician level roles. Through classroom instruction, lab experience, and direct alignment with Micron’s workforce needs, CWI makes sure apprentices are prepared to contribute from day one.
During the ceremony, graduating Apprentice and CWI Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology alumni, Josiah Kalousek, reflected on his decision to pursue the apprenticeship and credited his education at CWI with preparing him for success on the job. He encouraged incoming apprentices to take full advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing the impact the program has had on his career trajectory.
“The Apprenticeship has been full of growth opportunities,” Kalousek said. “Through seminars, Apprentice Tech Talks, and engaging with leaders across the company, we were encouraged to stretch, learn, and engage more deeply in our work. It has been nothing but water and sunlight for our careers, steady and intentional support that helped us grow faster than we could have on our own. That support showed up through structured learning, hands-on experience, and people willing to slow down, explain the why, and invest in our development.”
CWI Director of Government and Community Relations, Ashley Smith, highlighted the College’s commitment to serving students and supporting Idaho’s growing advanced manufacturing sector. With more than 34,000 students enrolled annually, CWI continues to expand access to high demand programs that connect education directly to employment.
The event concluded with the formal recognition of the 12 graduates, each receiving a plaque in honor of completing the rigorous two-year program, followed by a signing ceremony for the 11 new apprentices who will begin their journey balancing coursework at CWI with hands on training at Micron.
For the first time, the Apprenticeship program included a CWI Pre-Mechatronics graduate in Cohort 5, Feliciti Huarancca Mesicano, highlighting CWI’s pathway from entry-level preparation to advanced apprenticeship. Pre-Mechatronics is a free, hands-on, college-readiness course that builds academic, language, and technical skills, helping students step confidently into the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program.
Created with Workforce Development Council funding, the program supports adult learners and English language learners, strengthens applications for Micron’s apprenticeship, and provides real-world exposure through field trips to Micron and CWI’s Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC).
As Micron expands its presence in Idaho, the partnership with CWI remains an important pipeline for developing skilled technicians and ensuring students have access to meaningful, high wage careers in one of the nation’s fastest growing industries.
To explore these opportunities, learn more about CWI’s Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology programs.
