These investments are generating demand for talent in areas like integrated circuit (IC) design and microchip engineering. Government agencies, global semiconductor players, local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), and key industry partners have been working together to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the sector.
Key efforts include:
- Education Partnerships: In 2023, Micron signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with five polytechnics, offering internships, scholarships, and industry exposure to equip students with hands-on experience in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
- In 2024, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) signed MoUs with GlobalFoundries, Micron, STMicroelectronics, and A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics for student internships, staff attachments, and joint projects. Earlier this year, ITE also signed another two MoUs with Siltronic and Vanguard International Semiconductor to boost microelectronics training and talent development.
- Career conversion and student outreach programmes: EDB partners with companies through platforms like the Singapore Industry Scholarships (SgIS) and Industry Postgraduate Programme (IPP) to attract more youths to join the sector. Pre-employment training and career conversion programs targeting mid-career professionals have also been created, alongside student outreach initiatives.
- AMD partnered with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association to launch an IC design camp for undergraduates, offering hands-on experience and mentorship from practicing engineers.
- Training of next-gen AI engineers: The NTU-AMD Data Science and AI Lab grooms engineers for wafer fabrication, IC design, and AI applications.
Ensuring a pipeline of young talent
While some observers note that developing a deep pool of local expertise takes time, Singapore is already making significant strides in nurturing its next generation of semiconductor professionals.
Neelakantam Venkatarayalu, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) associate professor and electrical and electronic engineering programme leader, noted rising interest from students in semiconductor-related courses, in an interview with BT. A National University of Singapore (NUS) spokesperson shared similar observations, on students showing increasing interest in pursuing semiconductor-related courses and specialisations, such as advanced electronics.
Educators told BT that at SIT, undergraduate intake for engineering courses grew by nearly 19 per cent between 2022 and 2024, with semiconductor-related courses enjoying a healthy subscription rate of three applicants per vacancy. Similarly, the NUS now allows students to specialise in advanced electronics, covering topics like semiconductor fabrication, chip manufacturing, and IC design. NUS graduate programmes also offer internship opportunities at companies and research institutes such as GlobalFoundries, Stats ChipPac and A*Star’s Institute of Microelectronics. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) also collaborates with industry leaders to equip students for roles as IC designers, failure analysts, and process engineers, complemented by internships at major firms.
Read more about how businesses can build their A-team in Singapore to drive their next stage of growth here.
