The REAL Challenge for India's Semiconductor Industry
As India ramps up its efforts to become a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, one of the most critical challenges it faces is building a skilled workforce that can support this rapidly growing industry. People may think India already has a huge work-force, but the key issue they ignore is that almost none of the workers have any experience in this industry, as it simply did not exist in India before now. (With sole exception of the government-run Semi-Conductor Laboratory in Mohali, but it is now under the Department of Space).
There are many websites who seem to be tracking the various projects initiated and planned for this mushrooming industry in India. I also try to do it on my site, but it is limited to the final approved projects.
The demand for specialized talent in semiconductor design, fabrication, and testing is enormous, and meeting these demands will require significant reforms in education and workforce development.
Key Challenges in Securing the Required Workforce
Limited Domestic Expertise in Semiconductor Fabrication While India has a well-established base of engineers in IT and software development, the country lacks a significant pool of talent with experience in semiconductor fabrication, a highly specialized field that requires expertise in physics, materials science, and advanced engineering disciplines. As semiconductor fabs begin construction, there will be a pressing need for thousands of skilled workers who understand the intricate processes involved in chip manufacturing (India Today).
Gap Between Industry Requirements and Academic Curriculum A significant challenge is the current gap between what is taught in academic institutions and what the semiconductor industry demands. While India has a strong presence in electronics and engineering education, traditional curricula have often focused on broader engineering disciplines without delving deeply into semiconductor-specific areas such as VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) design, semiconductor physics, or chip fabrication technologies. This creates a skills mismatch, with graduates often requiring further training before they can contribute to the industry (IBTimes India).
Global Competition for Semiconductor Talent As the global semiconductor industry booms, India will not only need to create a domestic talent pipeline but will also have to compete with other countries for skilled professionals. Established semiconductor hubs like Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. are also seeking talent, and this global demand adds to the complexity of building a sustainable workforce in India.
Rapidly Advancing Technologies Semiconductor technologies evolve quickly, and staying up to date with the latest advancements in areas such as AI chips, quantum computing, and 5G semiconductors will require constant learning and upskilling. The lack of continuous learning mechanisms in Indian institutions and industries could slow down progress unless proactive steps are taken to encourage ongoing professional development.
Government Initiatives and Educational Reforms
To address these challenges, the Indian government has introduced several educational policy changes aimed at building a pipeline of semiconductor talent:
Introduction of Specialized Semiconductor Courses In recent years, the government has encouraged Indian technical institutions to introduce specialized courses in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) have begun offering advanced courses in VLSI design, microelectronics, and semiconductor technology. These programs aim to train students in areas critical to the semiconductor industry, including fabrication, chip design, and testing (Business Today).
Semicon India Program and Skill Development Initiatives As part of the Semicon India Program, the government has announced plans to train 85,000 skilled professionals to meet the industry's demands over the next few years. This will include technicians, engineers, and researchers who are industry-ready. The government has partnered with academic institutions and industry leaders to develop curriculum frameworks and create state-of-the-art training programs that align with the needs of semiconductor manufacturing(India Today).
Focus on Research and Development (R&D) The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation is another significant step aimed at promoting semiconductor research in India. The government has allocated Rs 1 trillion to foster innovation in semiconductor technologies, and this fund will be used to support educational institutions and industry collaborations focused on R&D, further ensuring that India stays at the cutting edge of the global semiconductor sector(India Today).
Collaborations with Global Institutions India is also looking to collaborate with global semiconductor leaders to enhance its domestic talent pool. Partnerships with international universities and companies are enabling knowledge transfers and creating opportunities for Indian students to gain exposure to the latest semiconductor technologies abroad, which will help build expertise domestically(India Today).
But really, what has been done so far?
The above references were from Indian media who were reporting what India's esteemed Prime Minister was listing out during the India chapter of SEMICON 2024. But let's see what's the reality on the ground.
It was only in 2023 that the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) released the “Model” Curricula both for a four-year Undergraduate in Electronic Engineering in VLSI Design & Technology and for a three-year Diploma course in IC Manufacturing, implying that, the first batch of Diploma holders would graduate no sooner than in 2026/7 and engineers by 2027/8, and that too from a handful of colleges at best.
The first semiconductor fab in India (TATA-PSMC) will be operational by end of 2026. As per sources (https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/tata-electronics-to-build-two-semiconductor-manufacturing-fabs-in-gujarat-124091600811_1.html), 4,000 to 5,000 employees will be working on-site in the fully functioning fab. So, even at a conservative estimate, TATA will require at least a couple of thousand employees by 2027.
Can we see the disconnect here now?
The Path Forward
The challenges are obviously significant. But India has some interesting resources. It has electronics engineers by the thousands from the hundred of engineering colleges that mushroomed during their golden era of the 1990’s-2000’s. While the government is trying to focus on reforming education, creating targeted training programs, and fostering international collaboration will be essential in ensuring that the country has the skilled labor it needs to power its semiconductor ambitions, it has some ways to go. Until then it will be India’s engineers who will be carrying out the jobs usually being carried out by non-engineers in fabs in other countries. Even that will not be an easy path. India’s engineers are never prepared to carry out hands-on work at the colleges, it is only once they enter the industry that they realize what needs to be done. And the fab companies will have to come up with unique solutions till then.
For example, Micron, which announced the first private semiconductor project in India with an ATMP fab operational by end of 2024 (!!!), recruited and sent over two hundred employees to its fab in Malaysia for on-the-job training.
India’s success in the semiconductor industry will depend largely on its ability to develop a well-educated, highly skilled workforce. By bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements, encouraging continuous learning, and investing in cutting-edge research, India can position itself as a formidable player in the global semiconductor supply chain.
References
By, Pashupati Sah, 21st Sept 2024.
Comments
Post a Comment