‘Chronic manpower shortage’ in the semiconductor industry?… The solution is Gyeonggi-do Shared University [밀착 취재]

Manpower shortage ahead of entry into ‘world’s largest semiconductor mecca’
Gyeonggi-do promotes expansion of ‘Semiconductor Sharing University’… From the materials field

The ‘Gyeonggi-do Semiconductor Sharing University’, which Gyeonggi-do launched last year to resolve the manpower shortage in the semiconductor industry in the province and foster experts, is on track. The province, which first opened a training course in the equipment field among materials, parts, and equipment (materials and equipment) last year, plans to expand its scope to the materials field this year.

According to the province on the 21st, the Semiconductor Sharing University is a hands-on public education course on semiconductors that jointly utilizes research equipment specialized for each university with mid-sized and small businesses related to semiconductors through the province’s Next Generation Convergence Technology Research Institute.

Universities with semiconductor-related departments have focused on strengthening on-site education by establishing shared universities with companies, sharing curriculum and practice facilities, and receiving internships from companies.

Last year, three universities, Kyonggi University, Myongji University, and Korea University of Engineering and Technology (formerly Korea University of Technology) were selected as shared universities in the field of process equipment through a public contest and received the first 294 trainees.

The course is divided into a degree course for college students majoring in the province and a non-degree course for non-major college students, employees in the field, students attending semiconductor specialized high schools, and job seekers. Through this, the province plans to train about 660 practical semiconductor technical personnel over three years until December 2025.

In the case of a degree program, students receive a ‘micro degree’ (expert certificate) after receiving 12 credits and more than 180 hours of in-depth education per year. Preferential benefits are also provided when joining a semiconductor-related company in the region.

The non-degree program focuses on consignment training, such as acquiring practical skills, and provides more than 21 hours of training per year. In addition, to strengthen the capabilities of vocational high school teachers, teacher training courses were operated and curriculum consulting was provided by semiconductor experts.

The province spends over 400 million won per year on each university to support students’ practical training expenses and educational programs. Currently, five mid-sized semiconductor equipment companies, including FST, located in the Dongtan Industrial Complex in Hwaseong, are participating in the corporate consortium.

This year, the province is expanding its scope to the materials field and adding a curriculum for associate degrees. To this end, we are recruiting additional universities and companies participating in the shared university for materials fields and professional degrees by the 29th of this month.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the shortage of manpower in the semiconductor field in the province was found to be about 1,200 people per year (as of 2021). In particular, small and medium-sized companies are experiencing chronic vacancies and repeated failures to supply and demand manpower, leading to a vicious cycle of weakening expertise and skills.

In April 2022, the province began seeking a solution jointly with the Next Generation Convergence Technology Research Institute, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and universities and companies in the province, and came up with a shared university that focuses on nurturing practical manpower as a solution. Since then, the Gyeonggi-do Semiconductor Human Resources Development Center has been established and capacity-building training has been conducted.

Recently, the government announced a plan to build a ‘semiconductor mega cluster’ by investing 622 trillion won by 2047 in Yongin, Hwaseong, Suwon, Seongnam, Pyeongtaek, and Icheon in Gyeonggi Province, where 19 semiconductor wafer production facilities and 2 research facilities are in operation. There is a bar.

A provincial official said, “There is still a large gap between the semiconductor manpower needed by companies and college graduates and job seekers,” and added, “We will continue to supply excellent practical manpower through the semiconductor shared university.”

Suwon = Reporter Oh Sang-do [email protected]

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