TSMC CEO C.C. Wei says skilled talent remains the company’s biggest challenge, even as government efforts help address concerns over water and infrastructure.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) CEO C.C. Wei has said that talent shortages remain the company’s biggest challenge, even as concerns over water supply and other resources continue to affect Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
Speaking at a ceremony for a new science park in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, Wei noted that the chip sector has long faced what industry leaders describe as shortages of water, power, land, labor, and talent. However, he emphasized that finding and retaining skilled workers is currently the most pressing issue for TSMC.
Wei welcomed recent rainfall in southern Taiwan, saying it had eased concerns about water availability. He revealed that only a month earlier he had been considering emergency measures to secure water supplies for operations. He also expressed confidence in government plans to strengthen water infrastructure, including projects to connect reservoirs across the island and improve water distribution.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is highly dependent on stable water supplies, particularly in the south, where reservoirs often experience seasonal declines. The issue gained global attention in 2021 when Taiwan faced its worst drought in decades, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who attended the event, said the government is focused on improving water storage, distribution, and efficiency to support both residents and industries. He also outlined efforts to attract international professionals and simplify work permit procedures to help address workforce shortages in the technology sector.
Despite TSMC’s growing overseas presence, including its large-scale investment in Arizona, Wei reiterated that Taiwan will remain the company’s primary base for manufacturing, research, and development. He added that demand for semiconductors continues to rise as chips become essential to a growing range of technologies, reinforcing Taiwan’s importance in the global semiconductor supply chain.
The comments highlight the increasing importance of talent development as the chip industry expands to meet accelerating demand driven by AI and advanced computing applications.
