India sees massive surge in semiconductor jobs, likely to have over 1 lakh semicon engineers in 5 years

The landscape of India’s semiconductor industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation, promising an exponential surge in job opportunities within the sector. With a slew of semiconductor fabrication units and research and development centres proposed for India, along with those already allocated, the nation is projected to witness a remarkable influx of at least one lakh semiconductor design engineers in the next five years. Micron, for example, has already begun its recruitment initiatives within the vicinity of local educational institutions in Sansnd, where it plans to establish a semiconductor fabrication facility. Analytics India Magazine reports that over thirty students have already received offers from Micron. Experts believe that about 150 engineering graduates from Gujarat alone will be hired by the year’s end. Micron’s venture in Sanand represents a monumental milestone, supported by an estimated investment of INR 22,500 crore. The company is set to erect one of India’s most extensive Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facilities at Sanand GIDC, offering direct employment opportunities for 5,000 individuals and an additional 15,000 professionals indirectly. Graduates specializing in electronics and communications have been presented with competitive annual packages, ranging from INR 15 lakh to INR 20 lakh. This development is particularly uplifting, considering the soaring demand for proficient personnel in the semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, Israel’s Tower Semiconductor is contemplating the establishment of a semiconductor fabrication plant within the country, further amplifying the demand for fresh talent in the semiconductor industry, as per a report by Analytics India Magazine. The Tata Group is also gearing up to invest INR 200 crore in establishing a semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Narasapura, Kolar district, located approximately 65 km from Bengaluru. Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited is expected to generate 155 employment opportunities. As India asserts its ambitions to cement its status as a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse, industry leaders like Jaya Jagadish, the country head of AMD India and chairperson of the Semicon Talent Building Committee (TBC), are shedding light on the burgeoning demand for skilled professionals in various sectors. With the evolution of manufacturing processes and the increasing prominence of design functions, the semiconductor industry in India is set to generate a demand for a staggering 12 lakh jobs. Key roles in this industry include engineers, operators, and technicians, and the requirement for professionals in these positions is nothing short of critical. The growth and demand within India’s semiconductor industry will lead to approximately 1.2 million skilled workers across various sectors. Underlining this commitment to meeting the demand for qualified personnel, AMD recently unveiled its plans to establish a new design centre campus in Bengaluru by year-end, with the ambitious goal of creating 3,000 engineering positions over the next five years. In addition to AMD’s proactive steps, Lam Research is stepping up to the plate by initiating the training of 60,000 Indian engineers through the Semiverse Solution for Semiconductor Education. These initiatives align seamlessly with the unwavering commitment of Indian Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is determined to cultivate a minimum of 85,000 global semiconductor talents within the next two years. Chandrasekhar underscored the pivotal and profound roles that entities, enterprises, and engineers play in shaping the future of semiconductor design and manufacturing, with the government firmly dedicated to supporting their success. (With inputs from agencies)