Semiconductor Skills Academy Wales
Semiconductors represent the jewel in Welsh manufacturing’s crown. Welsh Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, has predicted that the “compound semiconductor technology sector will be at the heart of the next industrial revolution”. Who mentioned Industry 5.0?!
Semiconductors are the main materials found in the electronic chips that power our mobile phones, computers, televisions, and any other electronic device found in the home. The properties of semiconductor materials can be engineered to conduct electricity in certain ways. Compound semiconductors, which contain multiple elements, offer advantages in size, weight and performance. Compound semiconductors are creating opportunities for exciting new applications including 5G (and beyond), electric vehicles and space satellites.
The semiconductor industry in Wales is home to IQE Plc which has a 55% share in compound semiconductors globally, and international technology companies including SPTS (KLA), Microchip, Microlink and Newport Wafer Fab. The Welsh semiconductor industry is forecasting 3,000 new jobs in the next 5 years creating a wealth of opportunity in science, engineering and technology roles.
The Semiconductor Skills Academy Wales (SSAW), led by iungo Solutions, is an flagship upskilling initiative backed by the semiconductor industry and funded by Innovate UK. By partnering with organisations including CS Connected, WJEC, Coleg y Cymoedd, and Cardiff Commitment, SSAW is developing the critical infrastructure to support the development of talent for the Semiconductor Supply Chain. SSAW is focussed on developing a pipeline of Higher Technicians to plug skills gaps and enable the Semiconductor Cluster achieve its ambitious growth projections. The Semiconductor Skills Academy Wales is committed to delivering highly-skilled talent to the whole Semiconductor Supply Chain in Wales, not just the OEMs.
