Taiwan bets on Indonesia and Vietnam to produce future chip talent

Taiwan targets Southeast Asian students for its semiconductor workforce amid its declining youth population.

Students at Minghsin University of Science and Technology receive training on machinery akin to that found in actual semiconductor factories on the outskirts of Hsinchu, a city renowned as Taiwan’s Silicon Valley.

Additionally, top chip manufacturers, including Powertech Technology, ASE Technology Holding, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., are open to hiring interns.

MUST's Semiconductor School aims to quickly train experts to be immediately useful to employers, earning it the nickname "mini TSMC." Out of the approximately 2,300 pupils, about 700 are Vietnamese.

A Vietnamese student came to Taiwan to pursue a master's degree in order to take advantage of the country's top-notch semiconductor industry. After graduating, the 23-year-old plans to work for three or four years at a Taiwanese company in order to gain expertise.

Such programs are a response to Taiwanese technology companies' concerns about a talent shortage.

According to Chang Ho, dean of MUST's Semiconductor School, tens of thousands more personnel are required. Universities and businesses must collaborate to develop talent.

Taiwan's birthrate has dropped because of high property prices, stagnant income, and other pressures. The number of births annually dropped from over 300,000 in the 1990s to a historic low of about 135,000 in 2023.

In the meantime, the semiconductor industry is facing even more competition for talent. These days, TSMC alone employs more than 6,000 people annually.

The demand for chips is expected to grow due to advancements in generative artificial intelligence and other technologies. Taiwan needs to create long-term plans to ensure its workforce can support its important semiconductor industry, involving the government, businesses, and schools.