When Cyrille Kayembe Asagnion heard about the Semiconductor Bootcamp at Onondaga Community College, it felt like a second chance at something he had missed years earlier. “My father was a mechanic, but I didn’t have the time to learn from him because I was studying abroad.”
Now 55, with a master’s degree earned in another country, and a life that has taken him from the Congo to Italy, Korea, Michigan, and Central New York, Asagnion found himself drawn back to hands-on work, this time with an eye toward the future of advanced manufacturing. “When I saw this program, I was very excited. I’ve learned a lot. The program has been very nice and very helpful.”
Asagnion is one of 11 students in OCC’s inaugural Semiconductor Bootcamp, an intensive program running from February 23 to May 13, designed to prepare participants for careers in high-tech manufacturing or position them for further education. Those who successfully complete the bootcamp will have a built-in education pathway, and be eligible for 3 credits towards the Electromechanical Technology certificate or degree. The program was designed with funding from SUNY, and through an industry-informed DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process utilizing representatives from regional manufacturing companies and semiconductor manufacturing companies across New York State, including Belden, Huhtamaki, Inficon, Novelis, Schneider Packaging, and Tessy Plastics, and semiconductor manufacturing companies across New York State including Global Foundries, Wolfspeed, Onsemi, and Micron Technology.
Inside the classrooms, labs, and the Micron Cleanroom Simulation lab at OCC, students rotate through hands-on modules covering topics such as motors and encoders, hydraulics and pneumatics, and other foundational skills tied to semiconductor and related manufacturing production. Outside of it, they tour regional manufacturers, build resumes, practice mock interviews, and take part in guaranteed job interviews with employers. The result is a fast-moving, deeply immersive experience that brings together students with remarkably different backgrounds, but a shared goal of building a pathway into a growing industry.
For 32-year-old Sayed Ehsanullah Ahmady, that pathway builds on an already global career. He has advanced degrees and experience in AI engineering and manufacturing, including work with a Toyota-affiliated company in Japan. He enrolled in the bootcamp to gain new, hands-on skills and establish connections in the United States. “We have learned about more than semiconductors - things like robots and machines,” Ahmady said. “I learned new things during this three months, and I enjoyed it. I also learned how to make a network. It makes me feel good.”
Aaron Unger, 26, came to the program from a very different direction. After earning a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and working as a stagehand, he saw the bootcamp as a way to pivot into a field with long-term growth. “With the way the world is headed with AI and semiconductors, I thought it would be a good idea to get involved in this type of work. It’s been really good. We go pretty in-depth with each module. Everyone’s been very supportive.”
For Brandon Simmons, 28, the opportunity itself has been transformative. “It’s been extremely helpful - super interactive, extremely informative. It’s an opportunity I didn’t think I was going to have.” Simmons, who enjoys working with his hands and is exploring a future in mechanical or industrial roles, said the program has helped him envision his future. “These classes are allowing me to see where I want to take all of these skills and resources.”
Guiding the experience is Onondaga Community College Professor Dave Bzdak, a longtime Philosophy faculty member who developed a strong interest in the Electromechanical Technology degree - and who, just one year ago, was among the program’s first graduating class. As the Faculty Lead for the Semiconductor Bootcamp, Bzdak acts as the “glue” coordinating 10 faculty to create continuity across all the modules, and works closely with students throughout the program.
As the Semiconductor Bootcamp has progressed, Bzdak has seen and heard from fellow professors how students have grown. "I've been really impressed. It's exceeded my expectations. There is a great variety of students, and they've really risen to the occasion. One of our instructors, Steven Ficarra, taught the very first technical session and taught another module 10 classes later. He remarked to me on how far everyone had come. In the first session, everyone was very quiet, like when you start a semester. And he was impressed seeing them now, how they work together, and how far they've come."
That growth was on display during recent employer interview nights, where students met with representatives from companies including Regal Rexnord, TTM Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Giovanni Foods. Employers noted how prepared students were, praising their thoughtful questions, research, and engagement. Several students stood out for their alignment with open roles. Simmons was recognized for clearly connecting his skills to company needs, while Ahmady’s background was described as both impressive and inspiring. Unger, meanwhile, navigated multiple interview formats in a single evening, an experience that pushed him to adapt in real time.
The partnership with the Manufacturers Talent Institute (MTI) helped make those moments possible. Through MTI’s pre-apprenticeship programs, such as Advance 2 Apprenticeship® direct entry program for advanced manufacturing, students gain early exposure essential to professional skills, such as resume writing, interviewing, and workplace readiness. MTI also coordinates with manufacturers who offer registered Apprenticeship opportunities in manufacturing to provide tours and interviews for open positions and apprenticeships. These skills complement their technical training and better prepare them for employer expectations. “The combination of us and MTI was a good idea. Employers put a lot of value on those skills,” Professor Bzdak said. “The Advance 2 Apprenticeship program also provides wraparound supports, such as transportation and childcare assistance, and coordinates with community-based organizations and workforce partners to reduce barriers and strengthen pathways to employment.
Beyond OCC, the bootcamp is already creating a broader impact. Curriculum materials, lesson plans, and lab activities are being shared with partner institutions - including Cayuga, Monroe, Tompkins Cortland, Finger Lakes, and Jefferson Community Colleges - providing them with the opportunity to adapt and launch the program on their campus. Through this collaboration and SUNY-supported funding, the program will build capacity to meet the growing workforce needs in our region.
This program is supported by funding from SUNY Transformation Fund, SUNY Future of Work Center CNY, Empire State Development and NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York.
