The Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) is an NSF-funded, national initiative advancing America’s micro- and nanotechnology technician workforce. MNT-EC is a key pillar of U.S. competitiveness, innovation, and economic robustness. As federal and state investments in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and emerging micro-scale technologies expand under national strategies and legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, so does the need for a skilled, adaptable technical workforce.

MNT-EC works across community colleges, industry partners, and workforce systems to align curriculum, faculty development, and student pathways with employer demand — creating measurable impact at scale. The materials below provide both a concise visual overview of our framework and planning objectives, as well as a detailed summary of our national achievements, outcomes, and partnerships. We invite policymakers, agency leaders, and philanthropic partners to explore and engage with this work as part of a shared investment in America’s future technical talent pipeline.

Over the past five years, MNT-EC has evolved from rapid launch to national leadership, expanding outreach from 3,815 individuals in 2020–21 to 78,147 in 2024–25.

Industry partnerships grew from 12 to 68 organizations, while academic engagement reached 141 partners nationwide.

Along the way, the center launched an academic journal, produced 55 podcast episodes, mentored more than 60 NSF ATE proposals, and integrated emerging technologies such as AR/VR into technician education. The full report can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking Report image below. It provides a concise look at the measurable growth, partnerships, and workforce impact driving MNT-EC's momentum and success.