Inside the I-Corridor: Where Do Skilled Trade Workers Fit in the Semiconductor Boom

Want a piece of New York’s growing semiconductor industry? Let's go Inside the I-Corridor with fabrication consultant Griffin McGuire of SetPoint Advisors to unpack some of the biggest takeaways from the two-day NY Smart I-Corridor Summit and what they mean for the Upstate New York workforce.

Sponsored by ⁠⁠The Enterprise Center at PathStone⁠, a CDFI helping small businesses access the capital and support they need to grow.

Griffin serves as a vice chairperson at the American Welding Society (AWS), Niagara Frontier section, where he focuses on welding standards and skilled trades advocacy.

Episode Takeaways:

🔹 The semiconductor opportunity goes far beyond chips. Construction, fabrication, logistics, raw materials, suppliers and skilled trades will all be needed as the ecosystem grows.

🔹 There’s a gap between research and the shop floor. Upstate has world-class research, but manufacturers need help understanding how their existing capabilities can translate into semiconductor opportunities.

🔹 Our workforce has to evolve, too. Griffin explains how the American Welding Society (AWS) connects students with employers and gives experienced welders pathways to advance into roles like welding inspection as the physical demands of the trade become harder.

🔹 Getting into the supply chain requires preparation. Businesses will need to understand the standards, certifications and capabilities major semiconductor companies expect from suppliers.

The opportunity is coming. The question is: where do you fit?

Resources:

Connect with Griffin McGuire / SetPoint Advisors:
SetPoint Advisors

Follow the American Welding Society – Niagara Frontier Section for events, student opportunities and industry networking:
AWS Niagara Frontier Section

Griffin McGuire serves as a vice chairperson at the American Welding Society (AWS), Niagara Frontier section, where he focuses on welding standards and skilled trades advocacy. He is a seasoned fabrication consultant and exotic materials expert who bridges the gap between engineering, materials science, and manufacturing. He boasts an extensive background in traditional manufacturing environments, starting his career as a welder and ascending to an associate welding inspector. Griffin is the founder of SetPoint Advisors, a consulting firm that specializes in assisting with the logistical challenges of semiconductor fabrication.

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