Chip worker shortfall endangers factory revival

The root of the problem is that few US engineering students – only about 3% – go on to work in the chip industry, with most opting for more lucrative software-related fields like AI. — Bloomberg

A GROWING nationwide shortage of high-skilled workers threatens to delay construction of billions of dollars in new semiconductor plants across the United States and constrain future chip production unless the industry pools resources and the government keeps up funding, according to a new report.

The deficit is expected to be most acute in states such as Texas, California, Arizona, New York and Ohio, where many of the new facilities are being planned, according to new analysis including a survey of employers from McKinsey & Co, the chip industry group Semi and the National Science Foundation.