Four projects to boost UK semiconductor skills
The UK government is funding four projects to boost semiconductor skills over the next year.
The projects are coordinated by the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) and include outreach to schools through to post-graduate training as well as a feasibility study and bursaries for university courses.
The Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP) will work with the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Techworks, Aston University, Sheffield University, STFC and the Institute of Physics, along with 30 UKESF partner universities.
This follows a report in May highlighting the risks to the UK economy of a lack of skill in semiconductors, and the launch of the Semiconductor Education Alliance by UK chip designer ARM two years ago that has not really developed.
“A one-year programme isn’t going to be a ‘silver bullet’. However, it can be the beginning of something impactful. We hope that further investment in the future skills pipeline will follow, so a sustained programme of national scale can be built as we have been advocating for,” said Stewart Edmondson, CEO of the UKESF
- UK AI held back by skills shortage
- Global turmoil hits UK semiconductor skills
- Semiconductor Education Alliance to address skills shortage
The STEP projects include Semiconductor Skills in Schools, designed to improve awareness of the semiconductor sector and encourage positive experiences of Electronics, through the provision of free resources, events and teacher professional development.
The Semiconductor Talent Award provides financial support and skills development opportunities to those embarking on an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree at a one of the UKESF’s 30 partner universities in September 2025.
The Semiconductor Skills Development Course will support undergraduates and recent graduate students to further their understanding of the design flow process and EDA tools used for implementing designs, ahead of on-the-job training.
Semiconductor Skills for Physics Graduates is a feasibility study for a development programme that would enable physics graduates to further their understanding of semiconductor design, materials and opto-electronics, and providing a route into careers in the semiconductor industry.
“This investment in starting to build a robust pipeline of skills will have an incredible impact on the Semiconductor Industry as a whole, and provide crucial support enabling more young people to pursue careers in our sector,” said Edmondson.
“We do support community activities as part of our wider portfolio. However, our principal focus is on schools/colleges, teachers and the curriculum. We know from experience that it is an effective (and efficient) method of getting interest, engagement and raising aspirations. In addition, this year we will have over 500 females students (aged 15-17) participate in our Girls into Electronics project. Therefore, this new programme will build on these success initiatives.”
www.ukesf.org/semiconductor-skills
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
