The semiconductor industry is in the heart of the technological ambitions of Europe, promoting advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. However, as the industry expands rapidly to meet the growing global demand, the need for highly qualified workers is exceeding the offer. According to the recently published ECSA skills strategy, Europe must train and hire tens of thousands of qualified professionals for 2030 to remain competitive worldwide. Without a robust and inclusive talent pipe, the independence of the region in critical technologies could be at risk.
In the strategy symposium of this year’s industry, Europe (ISS Europe) held in March, a moderate discussion panel by Maria Daniela Pérez de Semi EuropeThey brought together leaders and industry experts to explore solutions to this challenge. The discussion focused on how emerging technologies are remodeling workforce, the role of education in the preparation of future professionals and strategies to attract and retain various talents, every critic to guarantee the development of sustainable workforce in the semiconductor industry.
Address talent acquisition and retention
Catherine Le Lan, programs manager of the European University of Synopsys, established a direct connection between technological interruption and the challenges of the workforce. “The AI is promoting unprecedented changes, and the hardware is in the heart of the AI revolution,” Le Lan said. As the industry invests in new methodologies, avant -garde technologies and innovative products, the demand for updated skills continues to exceed the offer. This places a double burden for companies, which must hire for today’s skills, and in the education sector, which is expected to adapt rapidly.
Meike Boekelmann, head of human resources of Comet, stressed that the challenge is not just about attracting talent from the field of semiconductors, but that it is also about standing out in a crowded talents market. “We are not only competing within our industry for talent. We are also competing against other industries: automotive, consumer electronics and Ia,” Boekelmann said. To succeed, companies must go beyond traditional incentives and offer significant professional experiences and vision of the future. “Mainly what I see is that they are really asking to create an impact and also a sense of belonging … so that they want to see what the result is,” he explained.
“There are more people who leave the labor market than to enter the labor market,” he added Thomas Kralinski of the Secretary of Economic Affairs of Saxon State, Labor, Energy and Climate. “We need to think about immigration, integration of family work and training.” Their comments underline the need for a holistic workforce strategy, one that not only fills immediate vacancies, but also strengthens the broader ecosystem through inclusive policies, specific relocation and long -term demographic planning.
Foment of the synergy industry-academy
As the industry evolves, it also owes its workforce. Andreas Schleicher, director of Education and Skills in the OECD, made a marked observation. “There is a worse thing than losing people, and that is to keep them and not improve them.” He warned that the current rhythm of technological change requires much more of unique training; It requires a culture of continuous learning. “Neither the industry nor the education sector have the ability to increase and re -establish,” he said, noting that, although Europe works well in early education, adult learning is still insufficient. “The incidence and intensity of improvement and required it is so far from what we will need.” Without scalable learning systems and a lifetime, even experienced professionals run the risk of being left behind.
On the basis of this idea of future preparation, Thomas Kralinski said: “Do you know what kind of fabulous will be open in 10 years or what begins will be founded in 10 years? Probably not. But all those who work there or work there are already born, and probably are in school or in the university.” He underlined the need for constant investment in teachers, training and educational infrastructure systems, not only to meet the current demand but to guarantee the long -term competitiveness of Europe.
To truly inspire the next generation, Schleicher pointed out visibility as a vital factor. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Without models to be related or a clear understanding of how their interests are connected with significant careers, young people, especially underrepresented students, often overlook Stem roads. Schleicher described how even small actions, such as industry professionals who visit schools to explain their work, can have a lasting impact. “You can bring someone from the semiconductor industry to talk to students and help them understand, for example, what is on a mobile phone and that they can actually create tomorrow’s mobile phone.” He argued that this type of commitment helps “build dreams” and makes technology tangible, exciting and inclusive.
Ai: a facilitator, not a threat
The Moderator of the Maria Daniela Pérez panel raised a critical question about the evolutionary role of AI in the workforce. Recognizing the generalized concern that AI could lead to the displacement of work, he challenged the panel to consider a different perspective. How can AI take advantage of to expand and accelerate the talent pipe instead of replacing it? In response, panelists emphasized that AI is not a disruptive but an accelerator. Instead of eliminating the work, the tools promoted by AI improve productivity by automating repetitive tasks, freeing professionals to focus on innovation, problem solving and high value work.
Catherine Lan provided a convincing example, explaining how electronic design automation tools (EDA) are allowing engineers to boost the limits of technological advance. He referred to a university study that compared two groups of students, one with access to tools of AI and another without. “They discovered that these AI tools helped improve productivity and also helped improve students’ skills,” he said. “The student who had used AI tools had better skills than that he had not used AI tools … because they had been able to concentrate on high -level skills and got rid of low level skills.” Their comments underlined how AI, when it was integrated into education, can accelerate efficiency and learning results.
Collaboration: The key to the sustainable development of the workforce
Addressing the challenge of the workforce requires intersectoral collaboration between industry, academia and policy formulators. There is a shared responsibility to invest in long -term educational strategies, develop structured training initiatives and create an ecosystem where talent can prosper. This is precisely the mission of two initiatives led by Semi Europe.
The European Chips Skills Academy (ECSA) and the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) are playing a fundamental role in the configuration of the semiconductor workforce in Europe. ECSA is promoting efforts to align education and training with the needs of the industry, ensuring that both students and professionals are equipped with the technical experience and practical experience required for the future of the sector. Meanwhile, ECDA focuses on building a more inclusive semiconductor workforce throughout the industry. By creating opportunities for surrender groups, ECDA ensures that the industry benefits from a large group of talents.
Ensure the future of European semiconductors
In her final comments, Maria Daniela Pérez contributed the discussion to the full circle, emphasizing that addressing the semiconductor talent gap requires collective property: “In the end, it ends up being all about collaboration,” Pérez said. From involving technology users to amplify the visibility of the industry, to align with the academy and policy formulators, the way to follow depends on shared action. By promoting this commitment throughout the ecosystem, and investing in people behind progress, Europe can close the talent gap and shape a resistant, inclusive and globally competitive semiconductor force.
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