Chip industry faces shortage of 7 lakh workers by 2030: IESA chief
The Indian semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth, driven by the government’s push for electronics manufacturing and the increasing demand for chips in various sectors. However, the industry is likely to face a major challenge in the form of a shortage of skilled workers. According to Ashok Chandak, President of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), the semiconductor sector could face a shortage of around seven lakh workers by 2030.
This shortage is not unique to India, as the global semiconductor industry is also struggling to find skilled workers. “Worldwide, there is a problem, and India has the opportunity to fill the void,” Chandak stated. The shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry is a result of various factors, including the rapid growth of the industry, the increasing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, and the lack of skilled workers in areas such as design, manufacturing, and testing.
The Indian government has been actively promoting the growth of the electronics and semiconductor industry through various initiatives, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS). These initiatives have led to a significant increase in investment in the sector, with several major companies setting up manufacturing facilities in India.
However, the growth of the industry is being hindered by the shortage of skilled workers. The semiconductor industry requires a wide range of skills, from design and development to manufacturing and testing. The industry needs workers with specialized skills in areas such as very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design, embedded systems, and semiconductor manufacturing. However, the current education system in India is not equipped to provide the necessary skills to meet the industry’s requirements.
To tackle the issue of skilled worker shortage, Chandak highlighted the need to update the technical curriculum and develop manufacturing-related training programmes. “We need to update our curriculum to include the latest technologies and trends in the semiconductor industry,” he said. “We also need to develop training programmes that focus on manufacturing and provide hands-on experience to students.”
The Indian government has already taken some steps to address the issue of skilled worker shortage in the semiconductor industry. The government has launched several initiatives, such as the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) and the Digital India initiative, which aim to promote the growth of the electronics and semiconductor industry. The government has also set up several institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the National Institute of Technology (NIT), which offer courses in electronics and semiconductor engineering.
However, more needs to be done to address the issue of skilled worker shortage in the semiconductor industry. The industry and the government need to work together to develop training programmes that provide the necessary skills to workers. The industry also needs to invest in research and development to develop new technologies and products that can help to drive growth.
The shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry is a major challenge, but it also presents an opportunity for India to become a major player in the global semiconductor industry. With the right skills and training, Indian workers can fill the void in the global semiconductor industry and help to drive growth. As Chandak stated, “India has the opportunity to fill the void in the global semiconductor industry. We need to update our curriculum and develop training programmes to provide the necessary skills to workers.”
In conclusion, the semiconductor industry is facing a major challenge in the form of a shortage of skilled workers. However, this shortage also presents an opportunity for India to become a major player in the global semiconductor industry. With the right skills and training, Indian workers can fill the void in the global semiconductor industry and help to drive growth. The industry and the government need to work together to develop training programmes that provide the necessary skills to workers and to promote the growth of the electronics and semiconductor industry.
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