Objective

Silicon chips and relevant technologies have become an integral part of our lives. They are vital for kickstarting the new technological boom and sustaining the green and digital transition. However, chips are insufficient on their own.

A dramatic increase in the domestic production of semiconductors requires a dramatic increase in the number of workers producing them. Boosted by the EU Chips Act and the relevant investment plans, the European workforce in the semiconductor sector is expected to rise from around 300k in 2022 to more than 500k in 2030.

Over 200k new workers will need to be employed in the industry, meaning some workers will need to be re-skilled, others redeployed, and the number of graduates increased.

To address the skills shortage in Europe, all the stakeholders within the semiconductor industry need to be part of the discussion. This includes industry, academia, vocational providers, national and regional governments, labor unions, industrial associations, education service providers. 

With this objective in mind, the Working Group on Skills aims to bring together all relevant actors working on enhancing the European talent pool and deliver recommendations and common actions that will reduce the talent gap.