Chronic skills shortage threatens any semiconductor strategy, warns UKESF

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has welcomed the publication of the Government’s semiconductor strategy, but is highlighting that a chronic skills shortage threatens the industry’s ability to compete on a global stage.

The organisation – an educational charity established in 2010 – is campaigning for the Government to recognise the need for a much greater focus on Electronics and semiconductors in secondary education. It says it is calling for urgent, Government-led, intervention focused on three key areas: curriculum change, more engagement with the Electronics industry and improved careers advice.

“To make ‘home grown’ talent happen we need to start with schools,” said Stewart Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer at UKESF. “We need to raise awareness and increase knowledge and interest in Electronics and semiconductors at secondary schools.”

“Our programme of hands-on projects and activities demonstrates this is possible; however, to have more impact we need to massively expand this provision. We need the Government to invest in growing a national talent pool through UKESF’s proven activities.”

The UKESF points out that demand for graduate engineers vastly outstrips supply: that the only sustainable way for the industry (in particular for chip design) to grow is to increase the number of UK students studying Electronics at degree level, and help decrease the skills shortage.

See also: UKESF, Apple partner for ‘Girls into Electronics’ programme