How is Singapore developing semiconductor talent to meet industry needs?

Singapore is a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, contributing one in 10 chips worldwide and one-fifth of global semiconductor equipment production. Today, the industry accounts for nearly six per cent of Singapore’s GDP and employs over 35,000 people.

Driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), electrification, and 5G, the need for semiconductor talent is expected to grow in tandem with industry expansion – the semiconductor industry is on track to reach US$1 trillion (S$1.34 trillion) in market size by 2030.

Supporting industry growth through talent policies

In November 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) added three semiconductor-related roles — semiconductor, instrumentation, and process engineers — to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), to help the industry meet these immediate labour shortages and skills gaps.

The SOL is developed by MOM and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in consultation with sector agencies such as EDB, and tripartite partners. Occupations for the list are evaluated based on three criteria: strategic importance to Singapore’s economic priorities; the degree and nature of labour shortage; and the sector’s commitment to developing the local pipeline.

Under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), candidates filling roles on the SOL can qualify for bonus points, making it easier for companies to hire foreign talent with critical skills.

An MOM spokesperson explained in a recent Business Times (BT) article, that the SOL is a dynamic list that is regularly reviewed by MOM and MTI to ensure it remains responsive to changes in the labour market.

Developing talent to power industry growth

Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem spans the entire value chain, from integrated circuit design to wafer fabrication, packaging, testing, and supporting infrastructure. The country hosts global giants like Applied Materials, GlobalFoundries and Infineon, alongside leading outsourced assembly and test providers (OSATs) such as ASE Group and STATS ChipPAC. This diversity positions Singapore as a one-stop hub for cutting-edge semiconductor solutions.

Over the past two years, the country has secured more than S$18 billion worth of semiconductor-related investments across manufacturing and research and development (R&D), with industry leaders like Micron, NXP Semiconductors N.V. and Vanguard international Semiconductor Corporation, Pall and Siltronic having announced or opened new facilities here.

These investments are generating demand for talent in areas like integrated circuit (IC) design and microchip engineering. Government agencies, global semiconductor players, local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), and key industry partners have been working together to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the sector.

Key efforts include:

• Education Partnerships: In 2023, Micron signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with five polytechnics, offering internships, scholarships, and industry exposure to equip students with hands-on experience in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
• In 2024, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) signed MoUs with GlobalFoundries, Micron, STMicroelectronics, and A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics for student internships, staff attachments, and joint projects. Earlier this year, ITE also signed another two MoUs with Siltronic and Vanguard International Semiconductor to boost microelectronics training and talent development.
• Career conversion and student outreach programmes: EDB partners with companies through platforms like the Singapore Industry Scholarships (SgIS) and Industry Postgraduate Programme (IPP) to attract more youths to join the sector. Pre-employment training and career conversion programs targeting mid-career professionals have also been created, alongside student outreach initiatives.
• AMD partnered with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association to launch an IC design camp for undergraduates, offering hands-on experience and mentorship from practicing engineers.
• Training of next-gen AI engineers: The NTU-AMD Data Science and AI Lab grooms engineers for wafer fabrication, IC design, and AI applications.

Ensuring a pipeline of young talent

While some observers note that developing a deep pool of local expertise takes time, Singapore is already making significant strides in nurturing its next generation of semiconductor professionals.

Neelakantam Venkatarayalu, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) associate professor and electrical and electronic engineering programme leader, noted rising interest from students in semiconductor-related courses, in an interview with BT. A National University of Singapore (NUS) spokesperson shared similar observations, on students showing increasing interest in pursuing semiconductor-related courses and specialisations, such as advanced electronics.

Educators told BT that at SIT, undergraduate intake for engineering courses grew by nearly 19 per cent between 2022 and 2024, with semiconductor-related courses enjoying a healthy subscription rate of three applicants per vacancy. Similarly, the NUS now allows students to specialise in advanced electronics, covering topics like semiconductor fabrication, chip manufacturing, and IC design. NUS graduate programmes also offer internship opportunities at companies and research institutes such as GlobalFoundries, Stats ChipPac and A*Star’s Institute of Microelectronics. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) also collaborates with industry leaders to equip students for roles as IC designers, failure analysts, and process engineers, complemented by internships at major firms.

Read more about how businesses can build their A-team in Singapore to drive their next stage of growth here.