Engineering graduates and technical staff are in short supply, Taiwanese chipmakers are responding with structured education programmes and summer camps for students.
As Taiwan’s semiconductor sector faces a critical labour shortage, efforts to attract a new generation of chip talent are intensifying. From summer camps for school students to university programmes targeting global learners, Taiwan’s leading chipmakers and institutions are responding to a growing workforce gap driven by declining birth rates.
This summer, students from eight countries participated in a semiconductor camp held by U.S. design software giant Synopsys, which operates extensively in Taiwan. Unlike previous editions, this year’s camp included both Mandarin and English sessions to appeal to a wider international pool. Synopsys, alongside other chipmakers and universities, is increasingly focusing on early STEM education to prepare future chip designers and technicians.
Taiwan’s dominance in global chip supply, led by firms like TSMC, MediaTek, and UMC are at risk if workforce shortages worsen. The number of job openings in the industry has surged by over 70% since 2020. But engineering graduates and technical staff are in short supply, with the country’s birth rate falling sharply over the last decade. Government data shows a drop from over 210,000 births in 2014 to just 135,000 in 2024.
In response, Taiwan’s top universities are expanding their international outreach. National Taiwan University now offers a global undergraduate programme in semiconductors, including Mandarin lessons to support long-term relocation. Over 40 students from more than 10 countries have enrolled.
Meanwhile, other institutions are targeting even younger minds. One initiative at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University aims to introduce chip science to children as young as 10, using games and hands-on teaching tools. This early exposure is part of a broader strategy to build long-term interest in semiconductor careers.
