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GlobalFoundries turns up the tech [The Post-Star, Glens Falls, N.Y. :: ](Post-Star (Glen Falls, NY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 17--MALTA -- GlobalFoundries is looking for workers as it ramps up production in 2014 of cutting-edge computer chips. Earlier this year, the company said another $9 billion to $10 billion of investment was being planned over the next two years, with the majority of that being spent in Malta. Company spokesman Travis Bullard and Mike Russo, the firm's director of U.S. governmental relations, answered questions about the firm's priorities for the year. Q. What is your biggest goal for 2014? A. (Bullard) The Fab 8 Operations team's focus for 2014 will be to support the ramp-up of our leading-edge 20 (nanometer) and 14 (nanometer) technologies to meet customer commitments. In addition to being a fully operational site, Fab 8 is also home to one of the largest building construction sites in the region. We are currently expanding the site to include a $2.3 billion technology development center, in addition to completing the fit-up of the Fab 8.1 extension. The TDC will house a variety of semiconductor development and manufacturing spaces to support the transition to new technology ... We broke ground on the TDC in early 2013, and we expect the facility to be completed in late 2014. Q. What types of jobs are being added, and what skill sets are needed? A. (Bullard) We have about 100 current job openings posted on the career page of our website. We encourage anyone interested in finding a new job to review these job postings and apply to us online. About 40 percent are technicians or operators who run and maintain our site, equipment and all supporting processes. Many of our technician roles have a baseline requirement of a two-year associate degree in electronics, semiconductor manufacturing technology, engineering or another area related to math and science. Many of our entry-level operator positions do not require a degree, and GlobalFoundries trains qualified candidates to run processes and operate equipment. It can take up to six months of training to prepare a technician or operator to work independently in our clean room. Our next group is engineering, which will comprise approximately 50 percent of the overall workforce. An engineering position requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering or science. Lastly, about 10 percent of our workforce provides business support ... or are in senior leadership roles managing large teams. Since breaking ground on Fab 8 in 2009, GlobalFoundries has created approximately 2,000 new direct jobs, and that number is expected to grow by approximately another 1,000 employees for a total of about 3,000 new jobs by the end of 2014. In addition, the TDC project is expected to create an additional 5,000 new construction jobs. Q. Can we get a handle on how your firm is doing from a bottom-line or sales perspective? A. (Bullard) As a private company, we don't offer official guidance on financial performance. However, research firm IC Insights estimates that in 2012 we became the No. 2 foundry by revenue and entered the top 20 semiconductor sales leaders, and we expect to maintain our number two position and top 20 ranking again in 2013. Q. Is there something you wish the average local resident knew about your firm you're sure they don't know? A. (Bullard) There's a common misperception that all of our new employees are not local and have been relocated from outside the area. We recruit locally as well as globally to find the best-qualified candidates. ... Today, our team of more than 2,000 people in Saratoga County represents more than 40 different countries. Approximately 50 percent of our new hires have come from the local area, and about 50 percent have come from outside the region. As for community investment, in 2013, GlobalFoundries contributed approximately $100,000 in direct corporate giving, donations and in-kind services to local programs. In addition to this direct corporate giving ... as part of the development of the Fab 8 project, GlobalFoundries has contributed a total of $5 million to fund the two charitable foundations: the GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation and the GlobalFoundries-Town of Stillwater Foundation. ___ (c)2014 The Post Star (Glens Falls, N.Y.) Visit The Post Star (Glens Falls, N.Y.) at www.poststar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |