As the United States policy limits China's access to advanced chip technology, the Chinese government has expressed an interest in developing the country's capacity for self-sufficient chip manufacturing. However, the country lacks qualified workers as education is outdated.
Moreover, South China Morning Post reported that students are not interested in the local semiconductor industry.
Lack of Interest in Processor Production
Chen Ying, a partner at Huike Edutech, which helps students find jobs, said the processor manufacturing field is unpopular.
It might be because the students believed the job was too difficult and underpaid.
Students are still fascinated by entering the tech industry, but not as much as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, which offer clearer career opportunities.
China's lack of chip production and EDA software also contributes. Chen said there were one or two generational gaps. This is despite the effort of Huike and local company Empyrean Technology to teach the youth.
Also Read : Education Agency Executive Says China Semiconductor Industry Needs Better Development of Talent and Skills
China's Tech Industry Is Facing Two Challenges
As a result, China is facing a shortage of future talent and a local tech sector that lags many generations behind.
China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) even estimated a shortfall of 200,000 individuals for the years 2022 and 2023.
To make matters worse, only a small percentage of graduates who majored in integrated circuits (IC) in 2020 intended to find employment in the industry.
Previous Initiatives by Various Local Groups
In 2016, the Ministry of Education and six other groups urged colleges and businesses to collaborate on online IC courses and internships. In 2019, the education and industry ministries vowed to make ICs a first-class degree subject. In 2021, IC became a "first-level discipline" for doctoral studies.
Last year, at least 12 Chinese universities established an "IC school."
The Teachings in College Is Claimed to be Outdated
An undergrad at PKU's School of Integrated Circuits said the education is outdated compared to today's existing technology, claiming that the knowledge taught in class is 15 or 20 years behind.
The said student has a higher dream than acquiring a college degree. "I still want to become an engineer in chip design," said the student, adding that it will likely require a Ph.D. degree at PKU or studying abroad.
Nonetheless, a college degree is not even necessary for work in the semiconductor sector.
According to the CSIA research, in 2020, there will be 199,600 people working in chip design, 181,200 in production, and 160,200 in packaging and testing. That indicates that 63% of the workforce is engaged in less-skilled manufacturing activities.
Li Pei, an analyst at semiconductor industry information provider JW Insights, said, "Most of those in the IC sector are non-chip-design workers."
The salary has increased as the semiconductor design industry has drawn a lot of capital in recent years. Meanwhile, there has been no increase in interest in manufacturing or other job positions.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
