SINGAPORE: German chipmaker Siltronic and Taiwan’s Vanguard International have signed a pact with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to nurture and prepare its students for roles in the semiconductor industry here.
Under the agreement, the companies will sponsor ITE’s Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) programme in microelectronics and other relevant courses.
The programme offers sponsored internships and jobs for graduates and enables partner companies to advise ITE on curriculum development.
More than 500 ITE students will benefit from the initiatives, said the institute, adding that opportunities under the pact will enable students to familiarise themselves with job roles and careers in the semiconductor industry.
Hundreds of ITE students have in the past few years gone through WSDip and similar partnerships with several technology companies based here. Notable names include chipmakers GlobalFoundries, Micron, STMicroelectronics, Intel, Nvidia and software giant Microsoft.
Under the agreement, Siltronic and Vanguard will also get help from ITE in drawing up training blueprints and certification courses for their employees, including mid-career staff – in addition to a pipeline of skilled young talent.
To share best practices and knowledge, the ITE also collaborates with partner companies on joint industry projects, as well as co-organises industry seminars, conferences and workshops for students, staff and industry professionals.
ITE chief executive Low Khah Gek said: “As Singapore seeks to strengthen its position as a global semiconductor hub, the demand for skilled talent will grow stronger.”
Meanwhile, partnerships with leading industry players will provide ITE students with valuable real-world exposure, equip them with authentic industry skills and experience, and inspire them to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry, she added.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Trade and Industry Minister Alvin Tan said the semiconductor industry accounts for 8% of Singapore’s gross domestic product and employs 10% of the manufacturing workforce.
Singapore accounts for one in 10 chips and one in five semiconductor equipment produced worldwide.
Hence, the republic is a critical node in the global chip supply chain of the industry.
“This did not come about by chance. It is the result of decades of development and investment into building our thriving semiconductor ecosystem,” Tan said.
Just in the past two years, Singapore’s chip industry has attracted more than S$18bil of research and development and manufacturing investments, which will generate new business and job opportunities.
Tan said the goal is to keep the semiconductor industry here growing and strengthen Singapore’s position in the global production and innovation supply chain.
But to do that, Singapore needs a strong talent pool, he noted.
“We need a top-quality workforce – with strong technical expertise and an unwavering can-do spirit.”
The agreement signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the annual Electronics Industry Day, which ITE jointly organised with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA).
Tan thanked SSIA for its role in developing local talent by partnering schools, industry and government agencies.
He said SSIA has been a helpful resource for those seeking new professional networks and technical skills through its workforce development initiatives. — The Straits Times/ANN
