At the Industry Strategy Symposium (ISS) Europe 2025, held in March 2025, ECDA played a pivotal role in discussions centered on workforce development. Victoria Cummings, Senior Manager of Workforce Development & EU Projects at SEMI Europe, emphasized the importance of education and inclusion in securing Europe’s semiconductor future. She highlighted initiatives like ECDA and the European Chips Skills Academy as prime examples of industry-academia collaborations aimed at developing the necessary skills and fostering diverse talent pipelines for sustainable growth.
A significant panel discussion at ISS Europe, moderated by Maria Daniela Perez, Communications Manager at SEMI Europe, brought together esteemed experts:
- Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at OECD
- Meike Boekelmann, Chief Human Resources Officer at Comet
- Thomas Kralinski, Saxon State Secretary of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy, and Climate
- Catherine Le Lan de Franssu, European University Program Manager at Synopsys Inc
The panel delved into strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in the semiconductor industry. The consensus was clear: Europe’s competitiveness in semiconductors hinges on its people. Diversity is not merely a moral imperative but a strategic necessity, bringing fresh perspectives and innovation to the industry. More information and quotes from the panel can be found in this blog.
The momentum doesn’t stop here. The discussions at ISS Europe reaffirm that collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers is key to shaping a resilient and diverse workforce. ECDA will continue driving this mission forward, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has opportunities to thrive in microelectronics.
A huge thank you to everyone who engaged with us. Let’s keep working together to make an impact!
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