Prepping Students for CHIPS-Aligned Careers

Ready to help your students connect the dots between career clusters and CHIPS-aligned careers? Not sure if you have everything you need to prep your students?

About the CTE CHIPS Challenge

The What, Why, How, When, and Who


What

The CTE CHIPS Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, is a multi-phase $1 million prize competition that will empower you to expand your student recruitment, training, and placement strategies in semiconductor fabrication (fab) construction and advanced manufacturing careers that align with the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS).

Join us for our CTE CHIPS Challenge Info Sessions to learn more.

  • Oct. 29, 2024   Info Session 1: Challenge Overview.
  • Nov. 13, 2024   Info Session 2: Connecting the Dots Between CTE Programs and the CHIPS Act.
  • Nov. 19, 2024   Info Session 3: How to Submit Your Action Plan.

Why

There are lots of benefits to becoming a challenge participant.

  • Connect your students with exciting careers.
  • Network with peers across the country. 
  • Learn from subject matter experts.
  • Receive technical assistance.
  • Access free resources.   
  • Compete for cash prizes.
  • Feature your work on a national scale.

How

Submit an innovative action plan to: (a) increase your students’ opportunities to develop skills and experiences that better prepare them for the careers aligned with CHIPS; (b) expand your student recruitment, training, and placement strategies in these careers; and (c) support your teachers in building out CTE programs. 


When

Submit your action plan from 10/17/24 at 8 AM to 12/20/24 at 8 PM (Eastern Times). Check out the Get Ready to Submit page for details.

Challenge Timeline

  • Phase 1: Registration, Submission, and Selection
    • Submission period: Oct. 17, 2024 at 8 am ET – Dec. 20, 2024 at 8 am ET
    • Semi-finalist announcement: Feb. 2025
  • Phase 2: Incubation, Results, and Selection
    • Technical assistance: Mar. – Dec. 2026
    • Finalist announcement: Feb. 2027
  • Phase 3: Presentations, Acceleration, Impact, and Prizes
    • Technical assistance: Mar. – Dec. 2027
    • Prize awards: Feb. 2028

Who

The U.S Department of Education seeks innovative action plans from career and technical education programs, schools, nonprofits, workforce boards and more. 

Not sure if you qualify for this challenge? Check out the Official Rules, Terms and Conditions.

Connect With Us

Stay up-to-date.
Join the CTE CHIPS Challenge Community.