At the beginning of the project, TSMC sent some 600 engineers to train in Taiwan. Process integration engineer Jeff Patz spent 18 months there starting in 2021.
"The purpose was to go and actually make things, right? And learn how they're made," Patz said. "You have to have a kitchen to cook."
TSMC has also brought experts over from Taiwan on 3-year temporary assignments. TSMC plans to hire at least 6,000 workers by the time all three fabs are completed.
"For engineers, we are actively recruiting at universities in Arizona and all across the U.S.," Castanares said. Arizona State University "even has what they call a TSMC day."