"Training 36,000 Semiconductor Talents Over 10 Years: What Is the Vision for Talent Development?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] The government has unveiled a mid- to long-term talent development blueprint to strengthen the growth foundation of the 'K-Semiconductor.' The plan is to nurture 36,000 semiconductor industry personnel over the next 10 years and expand policy and institutional support to prevent the overseas outflow of core talent.

According to the 'K-Semiconductor Strategy for Realizing a Comprehensive Semiconductor Powerhouse' announced by the government on the 13th, the government plans to nurture 36,000 personnel across the entire semiconductor industry cycle over 10 years, including expanding university quotas by 1,500, 14,400 bachelor's degree personnel, 7,000 specialized personnel, and 13,400 practical personnel.

President Moon Jae-in is announcing the government's semiconductor industry development strategy at the 'K-Semiconductor Strategy Report Conference' held at Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

First, to resolve the chronic shortage of semiconductor industry personnel, the government will promote the expansion of quotas for semiconductor-related departments in domestic universities. Additionally, the semiconductor shared university consortium will be expanded to activate semiconductor minors and double majors.

For bachelor's degree personnel, a system semiconductor major track will be newly established, and semiconductor contract departments will be increased to promote early employment. A system semiconductor specialized course will be introduced within universities to produce bachelor's level personnel who can be deployed to practical work immediately after graduation without additional training. Furthermore, five new early employment-type semiconductor equipment contract departments will be established, and the expansion of recruitment-linked contract departments will be pursued.

To cultivate specialized personnel at the master's and doctoral levels, companies and the government will implement a three-stage linked project involving 1:1 matching for core technology development, advanced talent training, and recruitment linkage. To nurture master's and doctoral level AI semiconductor core technology development personnel, convergence professional training centers and university ICT research centers will be expanded.

For practical personnel, practical education will be strengthened using infrastructure such as the Semiconductor Design Education Center (IDEC) and university fabs. IDEC will expand semiconductor design practical education programs for incumbent workers and non-majors, and practical education in semiconductor process fields will be enhanced using university infrastructure for incumbent workers and job seekers through hands-on and practical training. The 'Korea Semiconductor Research Institute (KSRI),' which integrates semiconductor design and process education, will be established within the Pangyo Fabless Valley, and demand-based convergence research support from companies will be strengthened.

Moreover, to prevent the departure of core personnel in semiconductor technology fields, a national-level focused management system guaranteeing economic and social status will be established. Personnel who have made significant contributions to the national semiconductor industry development will be selected as 'Semiconductor Masters' and their core competencies will be branded.

Through the solid operation of the 'Employee Invention Compensation System,' where inventions made in the course of work are succeeded and owned by the company with fair compensation, a culture of just rewards for technological personnel's research achievements will be established. For contributors to semiconductor industry development, the government will also pursue expanding the scale of awards and upgrading the ranks of honors.

Support will also be provided for domestic reemployment and entrepreneurship opportunities for retired personnel who worked in semiconductor specialized fields. Experienced professionals will be hired as specialized patent examiners in advanced technology fields, and core personnel will be recruited as professors to transfer and induce the use of specialized technology domestically.

Lee Jong-ho, director of the Seoul National University Semiconductor Joint Research Center, emphasized, "If a support system is established to separately manage 'outstanding talents' among master's and doctoral level semiconductor specialists, the effectiveness of this policy will be maximized," adding, "Outstanding talents should be managed at the national level and entrusted with developing new technologies that can open new markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.