Three meetings in, one thing is clear: this group doesn’t just talk about inclusion in the abstract. It shows up with data, case studies, and tools people can actually use back at their own organisations. On 24 September, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Working Group of the European Chips Skills Alliance reconvenes for its fourth session, and this one lands at a genuinely useful moment, as the 2026 DEI Report is launching this same month.

A quick look back

Since the first meeting in December 2025, the group has grown from an opening conversation into a working forum with real substance behind it:

In March, ManpowerGroup shared a five-year partnership case study that took female leadership representation from 8% to 37%. That’s concrete proof that sustained, targeted action moves the needle.
In June, imec introduced its Diversity Fresk workshop, adapting a methodology from climate education to help teams build a shared understanding of DEI through discussion rather than one-way training.
Across both sessions, the ECDA DEI Talent Suite has taken shape as a practical toolbox: training modules, operational tools, and engagement programmes designed to turn DEI intentions into everyday practice.
The pattern across all three meetings is the same: less theory, more of what’s actually working, told by the people who tried it.

Join the conversation this September

The Working Group is open to anyone with relevant DEI experience, from semiconductor companies, universities, VET providers, Chips Competence Centres, or public organisations, as well as experts from other sectors with insights worth sharing. If you’ve been meaning to join, even just to listen and take note, this session is a strong place to start.

The European Chips Diversity Alliance marked another important milestone this September with two back-to-back events in Bratislava, bringing together educators, industry representatives, policymakers, and researchers to explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion can strengthen Europe’s semiconductor talent pipeline.

Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava: Bridging Education and Industry for Diverse Talent

The Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava took place on September 2 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, co-organised with the Slovak Chips Competence Centre and Comenius University in Bratislava. The forum focused on a question central to ECDA’s mission: how cooperation between academic institutions and employers can open the semiconductor sector to talent that is too often overlooked.

The day opened with an overview of the ECDA project and its online learning resources, delivered by Andrea Fábiková and Janka Kottulová from Comenius University in Bratislava, who also coordinated the event and its programme.

A rich series of presentations followed under the theme Diversity and Inclusion in Practice: Examples of Initiatives from Academia and Industry. Dominik Župan from Graz University of Technology shared how TU Graz is embedding inclusion into curriculum design and university culture. His team’s work was recognised with the TU Graz Mind the Gap Diversity Award in 2022. Catherine MacGillivray-Prantl, Global Head of Talent Management & Culture at Comet and contributor to the ECDA DEI Training Suite, presented how inclusion is woven into Comet’s organisational practices, from bias awareness in recruitment to inclusive leadership. Veronika Pizano introduced the work of Aj Ty v IT, a Slovak non-profit supporting girls and women in technology from elementary school through to adulthood. Ľuboš Tibenský from the STU Counselling Center presented findings from a survey on inclusion at STU, making the case that barriers to participation are a systemic responsibility, not a student failing. And Mária Zuzová from the Secondary Technical School of Electrical Engineering in Košice shared a striking data point: where 183 out of 770 students were female in 1967, today only 25 out of 844 are. She outlined her school’s practical response, from building a sense of belonging to hands-on technical projects and role model exposure.

The afternoon opened with an introduction to the Slovak Chips Competence Centre by Vanda Hudáková, followed by a presentation from Viktória Vöröšová on Talent Beyond Engineering: Diverse Pathways into the Semiconductor Industry, highlighting the value of visibility and the often-overlooked roles that the semiconductor sector depends on beyond engineering. Kartikey Srivastava, EU Projects Manager at SEMI Europe and ECDA coordinator, then presented results from two ECDA employer surveys on priorities and challenges around diversity and inclusion and long-term talent retention.

The forum concluded with a panel discussion, Connecting Education and Industry to Build Diverse Semiconductor Talent, bringing together Jana Drbohlavová from the Czech Semiconductor Centre, Dana Dvoranová from STU Bratislava’s Equal Opportunities Working Group, Andrej Tomášik, General Manager of onsemi Slovakia, and Martin Donoval, Slovakia’s National Delegate to the Chips Joint Undertaking. The panel explored what is working, where the gaps remain, and how education and industry can collaborate more effectively to build genuinely diverse and inclusive pathways into the sector. A networking coffee followed, giving participants the opportunity to continue conversations and build connections across academia, industry, and policy.

DEI Training for Educators and Industry: Building Capacity for Inclusive Talent Development

Two days later, on September 4, ECDA hosted a full-day DEI training at the same venue, designed for educators, education managers, and HR professionals working across higher education, vocational training, and industry. The training aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent in STEM and semiconductor-related fields.

Led by Kerstin Alfes, Professor of Organisation and Human Resource Management at ESCP Business School, and Stephan Schmuck, lecturer at ESCP Business School and developer of Europe’s first LGBT+ leadership programme, the session combined theory with practice. It covered gender and neurodiversity, inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and cross-sector collaboration through interactive exercises, self-reflection, and real-world case studies.

The training was co-organised by the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, ESCP Business School, and Comenius University in Bratislava.

Looking Ahead

The Bratislava forum and training mark another important step in ECDA’s mission to build a more diverse, inclusive, and future-ready semiconductor industry across Europe. Information on the next Inclusive Chips Forum will be announced shortly.

When: 4 September 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 3, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia

For whom: Educators and education managers from HE and VET institutions, HR professionals and other company representatives.

The aim of the training is to strengthen the capacity of academic educators and industry representatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) along the pathway from education to employment. The training combines an understanding of key dimensions of diversity with practical approaches to inclusive talent development. Participants will gain knowledge and skills that will help them attract, develop, and retain diverse talent in STEM disciplines and semiconductor-related sectors. Through interactive learning, self-reflection, and real-world case studies, participants will deepen their understanding of diversity and organisational culture while developing skills in inclusive leadership, allyship, and cross-sector collaboration.

Meet the trainers:

Kerstin Alfes is a Professor of Organisation and Human Resource Management at ESCP Business School, Berlin campus. Her research focuses on strategic human resource management, neurodiversity, employee engagement, and new ways of working. She has published in leading international academic journals and has received research funding from several major academic and industry institutions.

Stephan Schmuck is a lecturer at ESCP Business School, Berlin campus, where he teaches liberal arts and diversity & inclusion. He developed Europe’s first LGBT+ leadership programme and is actively involved in curriculum development. His areas of expertise include strategic diversity implementation, inclusive leadership, and economic history.

When: 2 September 2026

Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 3, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia

For whom: Teachers and educators, representatives of higher education institutions, vocational education and training (VET) providers, industry representatives, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.

Language of the event: Slovak and English (with simultaneous interpretation)

The next Inclusive Chips Forum will take place in Bratislava this September 2nd, 2026, and it will explore how collaboration between academia and industry can help attract, develop, and retain diverse talent for the semiconductor sector. Bringing together representatives from higher education institutions, industry, and European initiatives, the event will provide a platform for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and highlighting inspiring practices from across Europe and Slovakia. The programme will address questions such as:

• How can more inclusive academic environments contribute to attracting and retaining diverse talent?
• What role do university leadership, educators, and institutional culture play in this process?
• How can universities and employers work together to support diverse talent pathways into semiconductor careers?
• Which European and Slovak examples of good practice can serve as inspiration?

Don’t miss either the workshop Diversity in Action: Bridging Education and Industry for Diverse Talent, taking place two days later on Friday, September 4th, at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. Get all the details and register here.

Take a look at the agenda:

Meet the speakers:

📅 Dates: weekly, 22 July to 19 August
⏰ Time: 2PM CET

About the Webinar

The European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) brings together academia, industry, and policymakers to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across Europe’s microelectronics sector. By lowering barriers for underrepresented groups, ECDA helps unlock the missing talent crucial for Europe’s growth, competitiveness, and innovation.

This webinar series will explore how educators, industry representatives, and workforce development professionals can work together to strengthen the semiconductor talent pipeline and attract more diverse talent into microelectronics career. Topics will include:

• Increasing awareness of semiconductor careers among diverse student populations
• Building stronger partnerships between industry and education
• Addressing barriers to participation in STEM pathways
• Sharing successful initiatives and practical case studies from across Europe

Register now to reserve your place, connect with expert panelists, and help shape a more inclusive, innovative, and powerful future for Europe’s semiconductor industry.

Take a look at the detailed agenda:

Join us and shape the future of the microelectronics industry!

The European MentorChip Exchange Programme by the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) connects students and early-career professionals with experienced mentors across Europe’s microelectronics ecosystem. The programme is designed to support learning, confidence-building, and career development through flexible, community-driven mentorship.

Who can apply as a mentee?
We welcome:

• Students, interns, and PhD candidates interested in microelectronics and semiconductors
• Early-career professionals (typically with less than 10 years of experience)
• Individuals seeking guidance on career paths, skills, and opportunities in industry, research, or academia

The programme places a special emphasis on supporting individuals from underrepresented groups and communities facing barriers to participation, helping to create a more inclusive and equitable microelectronics sector.

Benefits for mentees

• Gain guidance, advice, and fresh perspectives from experienced professionals
• Build confidence, self-awareness, and communication skills
• Expand your professional network across Europe
• Better understand industry expectations, career pathways, and opportunities
• Be part of a safe, inclusive, and supportive community

Mentorship relationships are flexible and self-driven, allowing you to engage at your own pace through online interactions and in-person flash mentoring at ECDA events.

👉 Take the next step in your journey and apply to join the MentorChip Exchange Programme as a mentee.

The European Chips Diversity Alliance successfully hosted the first meeting of its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Working Group on 2 December 2025, marking an important milestone in the Alliance’s mission to strengthen inclusion across Europe’s semiconductor talent pipeline.

This meeting brought together partners from industry, academia, and research organisations. As the semiconductor sector faces significant workforce and skills shortages, DEI is a critical component for building a larger, more diverse, and future-ready talent pool.

How This Fits Into the European Chips Skills Alliance

The DEI Working Group is part of the wider structure of the European Chips Skills Alliance, an EU-wide initiative coordinated to strengthen the skills pipeline for the semiconductor and microelectronics sector.

ECSA brings together industry, universities, VET providers, research organisations, clusters, and public authorities to:

• map skills needs across the value chain,
• develop training and upskilling pathways,
• coordinate national and regional efforts, and
• build a long-term, diverse talent pipeline.

ECDA operates within this framework, ensuring that inclusion, equity, and representation remain integral to Europe’s skills and workforce strategies.

Purpose of the DEI Working Group

The working group will meet quarterly and serves as a collaborative advisory body, without formal deliverables, designed to enable open discussion and shared learning. It offers a space for partners to:

• present their ongoing DEI initiatives,
• exchange best practices and external perspectives,
• explore cross-sector opportunities, and
• receive peer feedback on challenges and new ideas.

Participation is open not only to semiconductor stakeholders but also to organisations from other industries who can contribute valuable DEI insights. If you would like to join, get in touch with Kartikey Srivastava at ksrivastava@semi.org.

Looking Ahead

As the Alliance continues to grow, SEMI Europe is working toward a long-term association model to ensure sustainability beyond EU project cycles. The DEI Working Group will play an important role in shaping this direction by helping define inclusive practices that can scale across Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem.

ECDA looks forward to continued collaboration with partners as we work together to build a more inclusive, diverse, and globally competitive European microelectronics industry.

We are pleased to announce that Cassandra Melvin, Senior Director at SEMI Europe and Chair of the Board at the European Chips Diversity Alliance, featured in an exclusive interview with THE  EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT.

In this conversation, Cassandra shares her perspectives on several critical topics shaping the semiconductor ecosystem, including:

• The importance of diversity and inclusion in building a resilient and innovative industry

• The evolving talent landscape and the future of Europe’s semiconductor workforce

• Strategies for strengthening education pathways and talent pipelines

• The impact of cross-sector collaboration on driving sustainable growth

• How the European Chips Diversity Alliance is working to create long-term, industry-wide change

This interview offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead as Europe accelerates its ambitions in the global semiconductor landscape.

Hear the full interview here.