Germany: €12 million chip skills academy
The project aims to tackle the growing skills gap in microelectronics
In a bold move to secure its place at the forefront of the microelectronics industry, Germany has launched the “Skills4Chips” initiative. With the Microtec Academy as its centerpiece, this €12 million project, funded entirely by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims to tackle the growing skills gap in microelectronics. From 2024 to 2028, this nationwide effort will redefine how microelectronics professionals are educated and trained, establishing Germany as a global hub for innovation in this critical field.
The Challenge: Rising Demand
in a Changing Landscape
The Challenge
Demographic shifts, rapid market growth, and the expansion of production capacities have created an urgent need for skilled workers in Germany’s microelectronics ecosystem. Traditionally, training in this sector has been localized, with vocational schools and technical universities working closely with nearby companies and research institutions. The Skills4Chips initiative seeks to bridge these regional divides, creating a unified and accessible educational framework across the country.
The Microtec Academy: Centralizing Excellence
At the heart of this initiative is the Microtec Academy, a national educational hub for microelectronics and microsystems technology. Building on the groundwork laid by the BM-x3 project, the academy will offer a comprehensive range of training and education pathways:
– Vocational training and study orientation.
– Dual training programs that combine academic and practical learning.
– Reskilling and upskilling opportunities for professionals seeking to pivot into the industry.
– Advanced modules developed in collaboration with partners like Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD) and regional networks such as microTEC Südwest.
Innovations Driving Transformation
The Microtec Academy stands out for its innovative approach to education and training:
– A digital learning and networking platform will make state-of-the-art training modules accessible nationwide.
– A virtual technology laboratory will enable scalable cleanroom training, combining practicality and flexibility.
– A supra-regional vocational training center will integrate cleanroom and laboratory environments from research and education, providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
– An annual conference will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration across the industry.
Building a National Network of Expertise
For the first time, Germany will have centralized access to previously regionally distributed training opportunities. By connecting training locations and stakeholders, Skills4Chips will strengthen companies’ ability to train skilled workers while enhancing the appeal of careers in microelectronics nationwide. This initiative brings together major players in the industry, including:
– Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Berlin (network coordinator).
– Technical University of Braunschweig.
– Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences.
– Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg.
– Regional Vocational Training Centre of Steinburg, and more.
A Long-Term Vision for Microelectronics
Running from November 2024 to October 2028, the Skills4Chips project will not only create a robust pipeline of specialists but also establish a unique network of expertise that underpins Germany’s leadership in microelectronics. The consortium will present its progress in March 2025, inviting industry feedback to refine and enhance the initiative’s implementation.
As the microelectronics industry continues to evolve, initiatives like Skills4Chips ensure that Germany remains at the cutting edge, ready to meet the demands of the future with a highly skilled and agile workforce.
More Information
https://microtec-academy.de
https://www.linkedin.com/company/microtec-academy/about/
About Wooptix
Wooptix is a leader in semiconductor metrology using wave front phase imaging, a technique derived from adaptive optics research in astronomy. With a multidisciplinary team, Wooptix aims to revolutionize the semiconductor metrology industry with the highest lateral resolution and fastest measurement technique for online factory measurements.
The company has developed Phemet®, a silicon wafer measurement tool, which is the precursor to the next fully automated manufacturing tool expected in 2025. Wooptix has already implemented Phemet® at various customer sites worldwide. Wooptix is headquartered in Tenerife, Madrid (Spain), and San Francisco (USA).