According to the report, with increasing demand for chips and the investments from the EU Chips Act beginning to gain traction, the semiconductor industry is expected to experience substantial growth in the coming years.
The report shows a projected employment annual growth rate of 5% by 2030, with more than 271,000 job openings expected over the forecast period.
However, the current pipeline of graduates is not growing at a sufficient rate to match this growth, and the report predicts a shortage of over 75,000 technical jobs across key areas such as hardware and software engineering, technicians, and data specialists.
Despite Europe producing over 1.1 million STEM graduates in 2022 and 320,000 in semiconductor related fields of study, only 6% of these graduates are expected to enter the semiconductor industry - many are opting for engineering careers in unrelated domains or positions beyond traditional engineering sectors, so the report warns that it is essential for Europe to respond to solve the talent gap.
ECSA's Skills Strategy recommends both short- and long-term solutions. In the short-term, Europe should optimise the existing labour supply by improving EU-wide mobility, simplifying visa processes for non-EU workers, and reskilling current employees to meet evolving needs.
"Strategic communications campaigns will be pivotal in driving long-term growth in student interest in semiconductor-related disciplines," said Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe. "The influx of STEM graduates into the sector is heavily shaped by the industry's ability to project a compelling image, further enhancing its attractiveness as a desirable and innovative field for emerging talent."
"Collaboration between education and industry needs to be strengthened to meet the long-term demand of the industry," said Raphaël Beaujeu, Senior Consultant at DECISION Etudes & Conseil. "Aligning the academic curricula with the needs of the sector will ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers that can drive innovation and productivity in Europe."
Initiatives such as ECSA are well positioned to help address the talent gap by offering relevant training with input from industry. The wide network of companies involved with the ECSA will also aid in promoting STEM careers and ensuring a diverse workforce.
The report concluded that with the semiconductor industry at the core of global digital transformation, Europe's ability to close the skills gap in its ecosystem will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness on the global stage.
