(NTI) : The Indian semiconductor realm is bracing for an acute dearth of 250,000-300,000 adept professionals by 2027, as delineated in a study by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship. This impending scarcity will reverberate across myriad sectors such as research and development (R&D), design, manufacturing, and sophisticated packaging.
“Strategic de-risking by premier electronic manufacturers globally, coupled with concerted governmental initiatives and India’s burgeoning talent reservoir, have catapulted India into a pivotal role in the global semiconductor manufacturing sphere,” asserts TeamLease.
Projections forecast the Indian semiconductor industry to burgeon to $100 billion by 2030.
Recently, there has been a confluence of collaborations between enterprises and the government to embed requisite curricula across numerous colleges. The government declared last year that over 300 illustrious colleges in India would commence offering specialized courses centered on semiconductors.
This matter is of paramount importance as India endeavors to claim a substantial share of the global semiconductor manufacturing pie. The government has sanctioned four ventures under the ₹76,000 crore semiconductor incentive program. These projects include Micron’s ATMP enterprise, Tata’s chip fabrication and assembly initiative, and CG Power’s chip assembly venture. Additional projects are pending approval.
“The expansion is anticipated to generate approximately 1 million global jobs by 2025–2026, aligning with India’s broader economic and industrial expansion goals,” TeamLease highlights.
Degree apprenticeships are emerging as a panacea, amalgamating theoretical instruction with practical training to furnish industries with a proficient workforce.
Ramesh Alluri Reddy, the CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, remarks, “AI-driven chip design and intelligent manufacturing are spawning a demand for professionals proficient in AI, IoT, and 5G. Constructing an ecosystem for high-value creation activities and fostering a skilled workforce through degree apprenticeships and training programs is crucial to establishing India as a formidable contender.”
The Electronics Sector Skill Council (ESSC) proffers over 35 apprenticeship courses under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to mitigate skill shortages, with initiatives like NAPS-2 further propelling apprenticeship training nationwide.
The surge in apprenticeships, from 7,517 in FY20 to 91,948 in FY24, epitomizes a 12.2-fold increase, notes Sumit Kumar, chief business officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.
In March, during the groundbreaking ceremony for ₹1.25 lakh-crore semiconductor projects in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated that India is poised to emerge as a preeminent semiconductor manufacturing hub. He underscored that the establishment of three facilities will not only catalyze economic growth but also foster innovation within the nation.
