Building a future-ready workforce in the semiconductor industry

• Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Applied Materials South East Asia Pte. Ltd. signed an MOU to create and administer CET (continuing education and training) programs for Applied Materials employees.
• The initiative highlights the importance of developing and sustaining a talent pipeline in Singapore that is future-ready to support the global semiconductor industry.

While governments and manufacturers deal with the shortage of semiconductors, it is important to understand why the technology is so important. It all boils down to the fact that Asia’s semiconductor industry, in particular, is crucial to the worldwide semiconductor supply chain.

According to BlueWeave Consulting, Asia-Pacific will continue to dominate the global semiconductor market and is expected to develop at the fastest rate from 2022 through 2028. As per the report, Asia has much more favorable economic conditions for manufacturing.

For instance, SK Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate after Samsung, plans to invest 247 trillion won (US$195 billion) in key growth sectors such as semiconductors, batteries and biotechnology over the next five years.

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With that said, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Applied Materials South East Asia Pte. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to create and deliver continuing education and training (CET) programs for Applied Materials employees. The project highlights how crucial it is to create and keep a talent pipeline in Singapore that is prepared for the future in order to support the global semiconductor industry.

The partnership to support a future-ready semiconductor industry

With regard to Industry 4.0 concepts like artificial intelligence (AI), data engineering, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and smart factories, Applied Materials and SIT will provide customized learning programs. The programs’ duration and curriculum, which are both tailored to the needs of employees of Applied Materials, comprise both short and long courses as well as stackable post-graduate modules, all of which are taught by SIT academic staff.

In order to sustain its technological leadership, the semiconductor industry demands ongoing innovation, according to Brian Tan, Vice President, Applied Global Services and Regional President, Applied Materials South East Asia.

“We are excited to work with SIT and provide our employees with advanced knowledge and skillsets to keep inventing the future, in alignment with Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 vision of becoming a global business, innovation and talent hub for advanced manufacturing,” said Tan.

This partnership with Applied Materials, according to Professor Chua Kee Chaing, president of SIT, presents valuable prospects for the staff of the company to educate themselves in high-demand fields like AI and the IoT.

Professor Chua added that “the programs will tap on SIT’s strengths in applied learning and research, and will contribute towards capability building in the local semiconductor industry and across its ecosystem.  SIT is delighted to support Applied Materials in this important workforce initiative.”

Applied Materials South East Asia is one of the biggest employers in Singapore’s semiconductor equipment industry, employing more than 2,500 people. More than 30 years ago, Applied Materials built a small sales and service office there. Since then, it has expanded into a significant production and operations hub that supports almost all of the company’s business units and corporate services.

“By catering to the needs of working professionals, SIT is a valued education collaborator of Applied Materials. We look forward to supporting the career growth of our employees and helping Singapore cultivate the workforce of tomorrow,” said Tan Lee Sar, Managing Director, HR Business Partner Regional Lead, Applied Materials South East Asia.

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