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 initiatives to promote electronics manufacturing and the increasing demand for chips in various sectors. However, the industry is facing a major challenge – a severe 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 chip industry is also grappling with a similar issue. The demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor sector is on the rise, driven by the growing need for chips in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G. However, the supply of skilled workers is not keeping pace with the demand, leading to a significant shortage.
“Worldwide, there is a problem, and India has the opportunity to fill the void,” Chandak stated. He emphasized the need for India to seize this opportunity and develop a skilled workforce that can cater to the needs of the global chip industry. This can be achieved by updating the technical curriculum and developing manufacturing-related training programs.
The Indian government has already taken several initiatives to promote the growth of the semiconductor industry. The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics manufacturing, the scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors (SPECS), and the modified special incentive package scheme (M-SIPS) are some of the key initiatives aimed at promoting electronics manufacturing in the country.
However, to tackle the shortage of skilled workers, the government and industry need to work together to develop a comprehensive plan. This plan should include updating the technical curriculum to make it more relevant to the needs of the industry, developing manufacturing-related training programs, and providing incentives to students to pursue careers in the semiconductor sector.
The shortage of skilled workers is not limited to technical roles. The industry also needs skilled workers in areas such as sales, marketing, and supply chain management. Therefore, the plan should also include initiatives to develop skills in these areas.
The opportunity for India is significant. By developing a skilled workforce, India can not only cater to the needs of the domestic industry but also export skilled workers to other countries. This can help India to earn significant foreign exchange and create employment opportunities for millions of young people.
However, to achieve this, India needs to act quickly. The industry and the government need to work together to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the shortage of skilled workers. This plan should include short-term and long-term initiatives to develop skills in areas such as chip design, manufacturing, and testing.
In the short term, the industry can provide training to existing workers to upgrade their skills. This can be done through specialized training programs, workshops, and conferences. The government can also provide incentives to companies that provide training to their workers.
In the long term, the industry and the government need to work together to develop a comprehensive plan to develop skills in areas such as chip design, manufacturing, and testing. This plan should include initiatives to update the technical curriculum, develop manufacturing-related training programs, and provide incentives to students to pursue careers in the semiconductor sector.
The opportunity for India is significant, and the time to act is now. By developing a skilled workforce, India can not only cater to the needs of the domestic industry but also export skilled workers to other countries. This can help India to earn significant foreign exchange and create employment opportunities for millions of young people.
In conclusion, the chip industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, and India has the opportunity to fill the void. By updating the technical curriculum, developing manufacturing-related training programs, and providing incentives to students to pursue careers in the semiconductor sector, India can develop a skilled workforce that can cater to the needs of the global chip industry.
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