The European Chips Diversity Alliance has launched its second Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) survey, aimed at understanding what keeps technical talent engaged in the semiconductor sector.

Building on the first DEI report, this year’s survey focuses on identifying the factors that influence long-term career development, retention, and workplace experience for technical professionals across Europe. The findings will contribute to ECDA’s upcoming report and support both industry and policymakers in shaping more inclusive and sustainable workforce strategies.

The survey is open to individuals working in technical roles across the semiconductor ecosystem, as well as those with relevant experience in the sector. It is fully anonymous and takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

By participating, respondents will contribute valuable insights that help improve workplace practices, strengthen inclusion efforts, and support the development of environments where diverse talent can thrive.

Take the survey here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScESClCRCJFrxF33q4oYz0CJ9QaYCyxA2yBAwVkSyITzJDcBA/viewform

Learn more 👉 What keeps technical talent in semiconductors? Take part in the ECDA survey – European Chips Diversity Alliance

The survey will remain open until 8 May.

ECDA also invites organisations, networks, and stakeholders to support the initiative by sharing the survey within their communities. Broad participation is essential to ensure that the findings reflect a wide range of perspectives from across Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem.

This opinion piece was originally published in The European Correspondent.

At the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA), we are committed to strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the sector. As Europe works to secure its technological sovereignty and global competitiveness, it is becoming increasingly clear that addressing the talent gap is not only a workforce challenge but a strategic imperative.

Europe’s semiconductor ambitions depend on unlocking its full talent potential. New ECDA research shows that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a moral extra – it is central to staying competitive.

Europe’s semiconductor sector stands at a critical junction. According to a recent study from the European Chips Skills Academy, the continent faces a 75,000-talent gap by 2030 – a target required if the goals set out in the European Chips Act are to be met. The Act aims to boost Europe’s manufacturing capacity and sovereignty, yet the sector risks faltering if it overlooks its most essential resource: people.

That’s where the European Chips Diversity Alliance comes in. ECDA is a collective of 11 partners from across Europe with one goal in mind: to make the semiconductor sector as inclusive as possible.

ECDA’s latest DEI Report, published in September 2025, found that while nearly half of organisations in the sector rate their innovation performance above expectations, only one in five say the same about their talent pipeline. In other words: the ideas are flowing, but the people pipeline is drying up. That should be alarming for anyone serious about Europe’s technological future.

The research also makes one thing clear: inclusion and efficiency are not opposites. Evidence shows that diverse teams make better, faster decisions. The challenge is that inclusion too often remains in slogans and not embedded in how people are hired, managed, or promoted.

Turning talk of DEI into practical change remains an ongoing challenge across Europe. ECDA addresses this through initiatives such as piloting training programmes on inclusive leadership, developing practical tools for companies, and creating a European ‘MentorChip’ exchange. Because no one ends up somewhere entirely by accident – they’ve had a nudge, a mentor, or a quiet word of encouragement.

In our focus groups, young professionals didn’t talk much about belonging to a group, but rather about fairness, clarity, and respect. They want open hiring processes, managers who notice when language gets in the way, and leaders who see inclusion as a skill and not a sentiment.

There is also a visibility problem. Semiconductors are essential to modern life, yet few people outside the industry can name a single European chip company. That makes it harder to attract diverse talent. If we want underrepresented groups to consider this field, we have to make it visible, relatable, and worth belonging to.

Europe’s struggle with inclusion is as much about culture as structure. Too often, efficiency becomes a code word for avoiding change. But inclusion is what helps organisations learn, adapt, and avoid the blind spots that come from everyone thinking alike.

In practical terms, that means embedding inclusion into how success is measured and rewarded. Any company that leaves DEI to volunteers is effectively betting its future on whoever has time after work. Governments that invest billions in technology but not in people are missing the point entirely.

The pace of change remains slow compared to the urgency of Europe’s talent needs. You can legislate for fabs, but not for belonging. Until inclusion is seen as a professional capability rather than a moral stance, we will continue to fall short.

The chips we produce will shape everything from washing machines to national security. They will define Europe’s technological independence for decades. But independence without inclusion is simply weakness in disguise.

If Europe’s chip ambitions are to maintain momentum, we will need a workforce that feels part of the story. The vision has never been the issue and it is having the conviction to follow through.

ECDA’s full DEI Report is now available. Explore a snapshot of where Europe’s semiconductor sector stands today and what it will take to build a more inclusive tomorrow.

---

This article was originally published in The European Correspondent and is republished here as part of ECDA’s commitment to advancing dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the semiconductor 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.