Bridging the Semiconductor Talent Divide

The semiconductor industry is driven largely by people, even though many think of silicon chips, factories, and circuit design first. Behind every innovation, there is a team of scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers. Their combined knowledge controls how fast the industry grows. Developing skills and moving talent between places has become a very important but often unnoticed factor in the success of the semiconductor sector, especially in the growing cooperation between Europe and India.

Both Europe and India want to reduce their dependence on other countries for semiconductors and become centers for designing and making chips. However, both face a common problem: they do not have enough skilled people ready to work in this field.

Talent: The Engine of the Semiconductor Industry

Every part of making a semiconductor chip starting from design, to testing and packing it, needs very skilled people, not just machines. There is a global demand for engineers who understand materials science, photolithography (a process to print circuits on silicon), and system-on-chip (SoC) design. The European Semiconductor Industry Association says Europe will need to double its semiconductor workforce by 2030 to meet future demand.

In India, while the semiconductor workforce is young and growing fast, it mostly focuses on chip design and software. Not many engineers have experience in full-scale manufacturing or testing of semiconductors. This difference gives both sides a chance: Europe has strong practical experience and manufacturing skills but fewer people, while India has many young, skilled designers but less practical manufacturing experience. Together, they could fill the gaps but this requires infrastructure, careful planning, and coordination between the two regions.

Moving Talent: Aspirations and Obstacles

Moving skilled workers between countries is about more than just job openings and visa approvals. It also requires institutions to cooperate, understanding of different cultures, and preparation for new environments. Indian engineers face challenges like language differences, unfamiliar hiring processes, cultural shocks, and unclear career paths when looking for jobs in Europe.

On the other hand, European students and fresh graduates find it hard to get internships, mentorship, or practical experience in India's semiconductor industry, which is still emerging. Many European companies are now investing in Indian semiconductor startups and manufacturing units, but connections and exchange programs between universities and industry remain limited. A survey involving two European technical universities and three Indian Institutes of Technology showed strong interest in student exchanges and dual-degree programs focused on semiconductors, but these remain small-scale and scattered.

Differences in Skill Recognition and Training

One major obstacle to talent mobility is the lack of shared recognition for technical qualifications. India and Europe have different certification systems and training programs, shaped by their own industries and government rules. For example, an expert in circuit simulation trained in India may not know specific European regulatory requirements needed in factories there.

Indian engineers are often praised for strong academic knowledge, but European companies find gaps in practical skills, especially in semiconductor manufacturing and quality control. Indian universities acknowledge the need for better exposure to the latest semiconductor manufacturing technologies, many of which are concentrated in Europe and Asia. This is not a problem of ability, but of opportunity and training environment. Effective solutions will include updating curricula, creating shared certification standards, and building stronger ties between universities and industry on both sides.

New Models of Talent Exchange

Some promising examples of cross-border collaboration have begun. For instance, an EU-supported chip design lab in Bengaluru offers Indian graduates a six-month training program that ends with a module in Belgium. Similarly, technical universities in France and Germany offer short research stays for Indian students in areas like quantum materials and chip integration.

These are encouraging steps but are not enough to build a sustainable talent pipeline. A more organized exchange framework is needed, for example, an EU-India Semiconductor Talent Forum that helps with career counseling, pre-departure training, and credential recognition, while linking students and professionals to suitable job or research opportunities.

Another important idea is to create joint certification programs, developed and recognized by both European and Indian organizations and industry leaders. These could give international credibility to skills and qualifications, making employers more confident in hiring talent trained in both regions.

The Emotional Side of Mobility

Often, discussions about semiconductor talent focus only on numbers: how many engineers are needed, or how many students graduate. But the emotional and personal side of working abroad is just as important. Engineers moving from India to Europe bring not only technical skills but also personal hopes, cultural backgrounds, and sometimes fears.

Interviews with Indian engineers working in Europe reveal mixed feelings: pride and excitement about advanced research, but also loneliness, cultural isolation, and concern for their future. Indian interns who worked in Europe mention the thrill of working in a growing market but also highlight challenges such as adjusting to different business cultures and life outside work.

These stories matter. They influence whether people decide to move, stay, or share their experiences with others. Policies aimed at improving talent exchange must consider these human aspects to be truly successful.

Conclusion

While the semiconductor industry is often described in terms of precision and nanometers, its future depends on people their skills, training, and willingness to collaborate across borders. The EU-India semiconductor partnership provides a strong policy foundation. Now it is time to build real bridges for talent to flow freely, gain deep knowledge, and contribute meaningfully on both sides.

Without this human connection, technological cooperation risks becoming mechanical. But when people from Europe and India come together, new ideas emerge, and strong innovations are born. Beyond chips and machines, the EU-India semiconductor alliance is about people coming together to explore new horizons.

This article is written by EICBI Intern Manya Goel

Editor EIJ News Desk

References

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European External Action Service (EEAS). (2023). EU–India Trade and Technology Council Launch and Semiconductor Partnership Announcement.

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