The Pact for Skills, a new European engagement and governance program, aims to support upskilling and reskilling and generate European, national and regional funding to attract new talent. Launched by commissioners Breton and Schmit and endorsed by more than 20 partners, the Pact makes it a high priority to create a well-skilled European workforce in microelectronics R&D, design, and manufacturing.
SEMI spoke with Henryk Schoder, vice president of Human Resources at X-FAB Group and member of the SEMI Pact for Skills Executive Board, ahead of his presentation at SEMI Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe), May 30, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium.
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SEMI: How and when did your interest for talent and skills start?
Schoder: When I started my career in year 2000 at Infineon in Dresden, I was responsible for staffing the first 300mm factory in the world and would run up to 10 interviews each day. Already back then, I realized the crucial role of skills and training, essential for any company to succeed in the semiconductor industry. During my experience as a human resources headhunter for the global semiconductor industry, I recognized how complex and fast-paced the industry is.
Currently, in my role as vice president of HR for the X-FAB Group, I am committed to collaborating with peers to envision solutions to meet Europe’s need to attract talent and keep up with the skills relevant for the microelectronics industry. To overcome our current challenges and build the skills of our workforce, X-FAB has implemented various initiatives such as in-house training, dual studies that combine work with formal education, apprenticeship programs, and an international internship program.
SEMI: How is the talent shortage impacting the semiconductor industry?
Schoder: From my perspective the talent shortage is the biggest challenge to semiconductor industry growth in Europe and globally. Intel’s new fab in Germany, for example, requires a high number of well-qualified technicians for maintenance and equipment engineering. Currently, every fab in the world is increasing fab capacity by around 30% to overcome the chip shortage and meet future demand. This will require a corresponding increase in qualified personnel – needed by every wafer fab. We are all fishing in the same pond.
SEMI: What is the most important opportunity for the industry?
Schoder: The Pact for Skills is a great initiative and needs to be backed up with substantial funding for the industry by the European Commission. The global Industry Branding Campaign, the network for Universities and VET Schools and the industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives must be pushed strongly and financed by the industry as well as government bodies. This will be necessary to support Europe’s ambitions in microelectronics design and manufacturing to double Europe’s market share by 2030 as laid out in the European Chips Act.
SEMI: What is the most pressing next step semiconductor industry players need to take to pursue this goal?
Schoder: First, the European semiconductor industry needs a new brand to position itself to attract a major amount of talent and fill open positions. Workers need to be aware of careers available in the semiconductor industry. Secondly, each European cluster must establish a World of Semiconductor, locations where potential talent can really see what it means to work in such an environment. These locations would be a meeting hub for the industry in the cluster, for students from all over the region, and for families and friends.
Thirdly, we need to boost Vocational Educational Training (VET) schools in Europe geared to the semiconductor industry, dual studies, apprenticeships, scholarships and internships by investing in state-of-the-art training environments and teaching methods and facilities. And fourthly, we need to focus on recruiting more women and underrepresented workers and raise the share of female leaders substantially.
SEMI: What is currently the main challenge?
Schoder: We need to speed up the implementation of the Pact for Skills initiative because it will take two to three years until we see traction in the employment market. In addition, the industry needs substantial funding in the skills area. Otherwise, each company will do everything on their own. We need to collaborate because the industry is much more powerful as a team. That is why SEMI has taken the lead and established an industry executive board to attract substantial funding from the European Commission.
SEMI: What are your expectations for your participation at ISS Europe) and why would you invite your peers to attend?
Schoder: Most of the symposium participants in the industry will come from a technical background spanning design, manufacturing, and equipment. But all are facing a talent shortage and skills challenge. Solving this issue is a top priority. I expect all of us to speak with one voice and united on the skills challenge.
Henryk Schoder is vice president of Human Resources at X-FAB Group. Since 2014, Schoder has overseen global HR activities for the X-FAB Group. Prior to joining X-FAB, Henryk was HR and IT Manager at Masdar’s solar manufacturing plant in Germany. He also served as senior consultant and managing director for the MRL Consulting Group in the UK, Singapore and Dubai. He started his career as recruiting manager at Infineon. Schoder holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Jena, Germany.
For more information about SEMI Pact for Skills initiatives, visit the official page online.