SEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, announced the publication of the final Yearly Monitoring Report by market research firm DECISION – Études & Conseil, marking the conclusion of the Microelectronics Training Industry and Skills (METIS) project.
The Yearly Monitoring Report, conducted under the METIS framework, is an update to earlier versions of the Skills and Occupational Profiles for Microelectronics report. Among the Yearly Monitoring Report’s findings, data specialist last year became one of the top five critical jobs, joining software engineer, design engineer, process engineer, and maintenance technician.
“In addition to newer job profiles such as machine learning engineers, emerging skills are becoming crucial for existing roles emphasizing the need for digital skills due to the rising importance of automation,” said Léo Saint-Martin, Senior Consultant and Associate at DECISION – Études & Conseil. “Companies are already collaborating and engaging more directly with universities and training authorities to better communicate their needs in the years to come and create a stronger talent strategy.”
The report considers the current skills gap in the microelectronics industry and provides a list of policy recommendations including:
* Increase the involvement of the microelectronics industry in the education process.
* Develop communications campaigns to improve the sector’s image.
* Develop clusters and networks to encourage greater dialog between industry and education providers.
“The need of the hour is to favor intra- and extra-EU mobility and develop interdisciplinarity and joint degrees in microelectronics,” said Christopher Frieling, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at SEMI. “The establishment of the European Chips Skills Academy, a successor to the METIS project, will assist in supporting skills development in Europe by supporting summer schools and internships and expanding teaching opportunities across the continent for professors.”