SEMI launches SEMI Works: A talent pipeline initiative for the global electronics industry
“SEMI has made workforce development and talent advocacy a top priority and dedicated significant resources and expertise to tackle the issue,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “As the global industry association anchoring the $2 trillion global electronics industry and representing the end-to-end semiconductor supply chain, SEMI is uniquely positioned to address this problem. We look forward to forming partnerships in leading the way on behalf of our members to build the workforce of the future.”
The association said SEMI Works leverages the group's track record of developing and delivering education and workforce development initiatives, and its history of building public-private partnerships. SEMI states the program will establish scalable and sustainable education programs extending from grade-schoolers to adults, offering experiential learning and training programs linked to the skill sets the industry needs most.
“Attracting, training and retaining talent is a major priority for our industry, and we applaud SEMI for taking a lead in workforce development,” Applied Materials Inc. SVP and CFO Dan Durn was quoted in SEMI's press release Monday. “SEMI is in a great position to mobilize the right resources and drive the success of this important initiative.”
SEMI Works is led by Mike Russo, who is vice president of Global Industry Advocacy at SEMI. He has more than two decades of talent development experience working with the public and private sectors.
“The global electronics industry’s shortage of high-skilled workers will only become more severe as technology advances,” Russo said. “We need a highly skilled workforce throughout the supply chain to develop new technologies and bring these advances to market. SEMI Works will be anchored by both detailed competency models continually updated to support the industry’s rapidly evolving workforce needs and certified education and training aligned to these competencies. This systematic approach will enable us to develop the talent vital to the industry’s prosperity.”
SEMI said the initiative will expand to include public and private sector partners, and that organizations interested in contributing to SEMI Works should visit its webpage for program manager contact details.
