Prioritizing semiconductor workforce training

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Vietnam has the potential to develop an impressive number of chip design engineers. Illustrative photo: T.D Photo: Internet

Significant opportunity

At a recent conference on the current state, challenges, and prospects of Vietnam's semiconductor industry, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Yen, General Director of CoAsia SEMI Vietnam, affirmed Vietnam's significant opportunity in semiconductor workforce training, given its young and high-quality labor pool.

The global semiconductor industry comprises three main stages: design, manufacturing, and testing. Developing the semiconductor chip industry requires cultivating a workforce aligned with these stages.

As of November 2024, Vietnam has approximately 50 chip design companies; seven packaging and testing factories (including those with investment licenses, under construction, preparing for operation, and planned for construction); no chip manufacturing plants; nearly 20 billion USD in semiconductor industry revenue; and approximately 26,000 semiconductor engineers.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, targets 50 chip design companies, one chip manufacturing plant, three packaging and testing plants, and around 24,000 semiconductor engineers for the 2025-2030 period.

Time is limited, so addressing the workforce challenge is crucial to meeting these development goals.

Mr. Yen explained that the primary challenge facing the global microchip industry in the next three years is a shortage of skilled labor. Vietnam, with its young and well-trained workforce, has a significant opportunity to fill this gap.

Currently, half a million students apply for university entrance exams in Vietnam annually. If even a small fraction of these students pursue microchip studies, Vietnam could develop an impressive number of chip design engineers in just a few years, providing a significant advantage in semiconductor workforce development.

"Therefore, we need to focus on addressing the workforce challenge immediately; this is both an opportunity and a prospect for Vietnam. However, this opportunity window is only open for three years. If we don't seize it, it will quickly slip away. We have established the Vietnam Microchip Community, where students and professionals in this field can connect with FDI enterprises. This demonstrates that even without chip manufacturing, we have built a resource community for information sharing and job opportunities. We should seize this opportunity to ride the wave of FDI in the semiconductor industry," emphasized Mr. Yen.

Echoing this view, Mr. Hong Sun, Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (KOCHAM), pointed out that semiconductor manufacturing isn't solely reliant on machinery and equipment but requires skilled individuals for various processes. Therefore, Vietnam must invest in developing a high-quality workforce.

Five attractive factors

Many semiconductor FDI enterprises have invested in Vietnam, recognizing its potential for semiconductor industry development. Several large corporations are still exploring opportunities to expand their semiconductor supply chains in Vietnam.

However, the most critical current issue is the scarcity of skilled semiconductor professionals. Businesses urgently need a well-trained workforce with solid semiconductor knowledge.

To meet this demand, Mr. Nguyen Manh Chien, Head of Human Resources at Hana Micron Vina Co., Ltd., stated that the company has partnered with the Viet-Han College of Technology to offer introductory courses on semiconductor processes and technology. The company has already trained 90 students in its first course and will continue with further training.

From a local perspective, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ngoc, Deputy Head of the Bac Giang Industrial Zones Authority, projected a demand for approximately 6,300 workers in the semiconductor industry in Bac Giang between 2025 and 2030, including 1,200 workers with college degrees or higher and 5,100 general laborers.

In Vinh Phuc, the electronics industry has attracted over 200 manufacturing enterprises, including more than 70 suppliers for Samsung, Dell, and some component suppliers for Apple, resulting in a high demand for skilled labor.

Vietnam is well-positioned to participate deeply in the global semiconductor industry and has demonstrated its aspiration to become a link in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Experts believe that developing a skilled workforce in microchips and semiconductors should be a long-term and systematic priority.

The collaborative efforts of educational institutions and businesses, combined with government support and determination, will be the foundation for achieving this breakthrough.

Mr. Le Quang Dam, General Director of Marvell Vietnam, identified five key factors attracting semiconductor companies to Vietnam: human resources, effective investment attraction, political stability, adequate infrastructure for semiconductor development, and the eagerness of Vietnamese people to learn.

Mr. Dam also emphasized the importance of soft skills, foreign language proficiency, and experience accumulation for engineers, in addition to technical expertise. He also highlighted the need for government support in terms of resources and intellectual property protection policies for businesses.