YOUNGSTOWN — Eastern Gateway Community College is part of a collaborative effort involving 16 community colleges and technical schools in Ohio to develop semiconductor education and workforce programs for tech giant Intel.

As part of the Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network, EGCC will provide workforce and career accelerator training courses as a gateway to in-demand fields.

The effort is part of a $17.7 million investment Intel will make over the next three years to colleges and universities in the state to create semiconductor-focused education and workforce programs.

Intel made the announcement on the funding — part of its $50 million pledge over 10 years — on Friday before it broke ground on a leading-edge $20 billion computer chip factory in New Albany.

EGCC has been working with the other schools in the group and Intel and Dell Technologies to provide area and regional students training and job opportunities.

The funding is intended to help bridge semiconductor manufacturing workforce shortages and technical challenges to develop new capabilities in making chips.

“EGCC will be developing AI labs, with guidance from Dell Technologies, which will be in-person, online, or hybrid options. Dell will work with EGCC on career skills and employability for AI-related careers. We will continue to respond to our local workforce demands to create growth opportunities for our students,” said Arthur Daly, EGCC senior vice president and chief development officer.

Others schools in the group are Belmont College, Central Ohio Technical College, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Clark State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Edison State Community College, Hocking College, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College, Marion Technical College, North Central State College, Northwest State Community College, Owens Community College, Rhodes State College, Rio Grande Community College, Sinclair Community College, Southern State Community College, Stark State College, Terra State Community College, Washington State Community College and Zane State College.

Youngstown State and Kent State universities are also included in proposals that will receive a share of the $17.7 million.

YSU will partner with 10 other colleges and universities in northeast Ohio to provide training programs in automation, robotics, microelectronics and semiconductor processing.

Kent State will lead a network of 13 other colleges and universities to prepare the workforce to make small electronic devices. The proposal will expand facilities equipment and virtual and augmented reality learning in a variety of programs for fabrication technicians, entry-level engineers and advanced degrees in manufacturing.

The school’s seven branches are part of the effort, including Kent State University at Trumbull in Champion.