December 30, 2024 – According to a report by Kyodo News, six domestic semiconductor companies in Japan, including Sony Group’s semiconductor subsidiary and Kioxia, have begun collaborating to cultivate and acquire talent. As part of this initiative, engineers from these companies are introducing their work content and career planning to university students.
The aim of this collaboration is to generate interest among university students and encourage them to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry, thereby expanding the domestic talent pool. Additionally, there is an accelerated focus on industry-government-academia cooperation.
The reason behind this effort is the increasing demand for semiconductors driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), which has intensified the global competition for talent. Industry insiders note that they are now competing with leading companies like NVIDIA and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for top talent.
According to estimates from the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), which consists of electronics manufacturers, the nine major domestic companies in Japan will need approximately 43,000 talents in the next ten years. This underscores the challenge faced by domestic manufacturers in addressing the talent shortage.
The six collaborating companies, which also include Mitsubishi Electric and Renesas Electronics, have set up platforms at universities to showcase the appeal of working in the semiconductor industry and engage with students. The first event, held at Kobe University in December, attracted around 90 participants. Many job-seeking students inquired about the actual work environment, and the companies hope to attract and hire these students in the future. Similar events are planned at other universities.
