China’s semiconductor industry in serious talent shortage

China's semiconductor industry is facing a major talent shortfall of up to 400,000 people by 2020, according a new report.
By: | October 25, 2018

 

By 2020, China’s semiconductor industry could see a talent shortfall of up to 400,000 people – more even than its current workforce of only 300,000.

According to a report in Taiwan-based DigiTimes, the industry needs a total of 700,000 employees by 2020 if it wants to realise a production value of RMB1 trillion (SG$200 billion).

Sources quoted in the report said China’s semiconductor industry could be pressured into hiring overseas workers to address the increasingly serious talent shortage that is casting clouds over the industry’s development.

As semiconductor investment projects are no longer based in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, increasing number of mid- and high-ranking professionals are urgently needed at other Chinese cities.

In Jiangsu province alone, the semiconductor talent shortfall is expected to exceed 100,000 by 2020.

Among the companies that are trying to address the expected shortfall is Huawei, which has hired at least 6,000 foreign engineers.