Held in the context of the European Commission’s Union of Skills initiative, the event highlighted the urgent need to strengthen STEM education and align talent development with the evolving demands of high-tech sectors, including semiconductors. With projections indicating a shortage of over 75,000 roles in the semiconductor industry by 2030, discussions focused on how Europe can build a resilient and future-ready workforce.

Organised in collaboration with OECD, SEMI Europe, the EU STEM Coalition, and theEuropean Chips Skills Academy, the event featured keynote contributions and expert insights from leading voices across Europe. Topics ranged from the current state of STEM education to the impact of the talent gap on industrial competitiveness and innovation.

Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe, underlined the scale of the semiconductor talent challenge and the need for coordinated action across education and industry. Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at OECD, provided a broader perspective on global education trends, while Beatrice Boots, representing the EU STEM Coalition, highlighted ongoing European-level efforts to strengthen STEM ecosystems.

A central panel discussion brought together Laith Altimime and Nessa Maguire (EudaOrg), alongside other leading voices, to explore the effectiveness of current STEM promotion initiatives – particularly in relation to the participation of women and underrepresented groups in high-tech fields. Moderated by Victoria Cummings from SEMI Europe, the discussion examined whether existing approaches are delivering measurable impact and how messaging, workplace culture, and education systems can better support inclusive participation in the semiconductor sector.

The discussion also addressed broader questions around Europe’s ability to remain competitive in key technological areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, all of which depend on a strong and diverse talent pipeline.

As co-organiser, ECDA played a key role in shaping the dialogue, reinforcing the importance of inclusive approaches to workforce development and the need to bridge gaps between education, policy, and industry.

The event concluded with a networking reception, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

This engagement marks another step in ECDA’s ongoing efforts to support a more inclusive, skilled, and future-ready semiconductor ecosystem across Europe.

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The public-facing event, Inclusive Chips Forum – Designing the Difference, hosted by Platform Talent voor Technologie (PTvT), welcomed industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students for a full day of dialogue and exchange. Discussions focused on practical approaches to embedding inclusion within organisations, strengthening talent pipelines, and navigating the evolving DEI landscape across Europe.

Key sessions highlighted the role of public-private collaboration, including insights from the Beethoven project on talent attraction and workforce development in the Netherlands. Participants also engaged with ECDA-led initiatives, such as training modules designed to support inclusive practices across the semiconductor value chain.

A panel discussion on DEI backlash brought together voices from industry, policy, and advocacy to explore current challenges and opportunities, while additional sessions showcased best practices, research insights, and real-world approaches to fostering inclusive workplaces.

The forum concluded with a tour of the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, offering participants a first-hand look at one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs and reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving technological and societal progress.

The following day, ECDA partners gathered for a consortium meeting hosted by PTvT. The session focused on project updates, knowledge sharing, and aligning on next steps to further advance the Alliance’s objectives. Partners exchanged insights across work packages and explored opportunities to deepen collaboration and maximise impact in addressing Europe’s semiconductor talent gap.

The Eindhoven forum and consortium meeting mark another important step in ECDA’s mission to build a more inclusive, innovative, and future-ready semiconductor industry across Europe.

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Bringing together industry, academia, and students, the session reinforced a key message at the heart of ECDA’s mission: stronger collaboration is essential to ensure that talent pathways into the semiconductor industry are both accessible and sustainable.

Flash Mentoring: Connecting Talent with Opportunity

A key highlight of ECDA’s involvement was the Connect4Growth Flash Mentoring session, which created a dynamic space for direct exchange between experienced professionals and emerging talent.

Through a series of short, focused conversations, students and young professionals were able to:

• Gain practical career insights
• Ask open and honest questions
• Build connections with industry professionals

The format encouraged inclusive, low-barrier engagement—making it easier for participants from diverse backgrounds to access guidance and expand their professional networks.

This session also served as an early step towards what would later become ECDA’s MentorChip Programme, demonstrating the strong demand for structured mentoring opportunities across the European semiconductor ecosystem.

Strengthening Europe’s Talent Pipeline

In addition to facilitating the mentoring session, ECDA was presented by Kartikey Srivastava from SEMI Europe as part of broader European efforts to address skills gaps and promote diversity within the industry.

By fostering collaboration between education and industry, and by creating initiatives that support underrepresented talent, ECDA continues to contribute to a more inclusive and resilient semiconductor workforce.

Moving Forward

The discussions in Dresden highlighted both the urgency of the talent challenge and the opportunity to address it through targeted, collaborative action.

For ECDA, initiatives like Flash Mentoring are not standalone activities—they are part of a wider effort to build connections, open doors, and ensure that the future of Europe’s semiconductor industry reflects the diversity of its talent.

The post NextGen Talent in Dresden: Laying the Groundwork for Inclusive Talent Development appeared first on European Chips Diversity Alliance.

The event brought together DEI professionals, storytellers, and changemakers for a powerful mix of interactive workshops, audience-driven discussions, and inspiring personal stories. The session explored the real-world impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Using tools like live polling and Mentimeter, participants were invited to reflect, challenge assumptions, and co-create actionable strategies to drive meaningful change.

We especially valued the opportunity to connect with other DEI leaders and exchange ideas on inclusive practices that can be scaled across industries.

Thank you to the organizers for hosting such a thoughtful and energising event. ECDA looks forward to continuing the conversation and applying these insights in our ongoing work to build a more inclusive semiconductor ecosystem.

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Addressing a vibrant and engaged audience of students, academics, and industry professionals, Victoria shared the vision behind ECDA and underscored the vital role that diversity, equity, and inclusion play in building a resilient, innovative, and future-ready semiconductor workforce. Her keynote emphasized how collaborative efforts between education, industry, and policymakers are essential to ensuring that talent from all backgrounds can thrive in Europe’s rapidly evolving microelectronics ecosystem.

A heartfelt thank you to the conference organizers and to all the brilliant minds who made the event such an inspiring gathering. We’re proud to see ECDA’s mission resonating across borders.

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The public-facing event titled “Future Proofing Access to Diverse Talent in the Semiconductor Industry“, hosted in collaboration with Learnovate Centre, EudaOrg, MIDAS Ireland, and SEMI Europe, featured keynote speeches, a panel discussion, and networking aimed at fostering cross-sector dialogue. Discussions centered on practical approaches to attracting and retaining underrepresented talent, the role of inclusive workplace culture, and how the industry can support equitable growth.

Attendees noted the value of meeting peers and professionals committed to creating a more welcoming semiconductor ecosystem – particularly at a time when Europe is scaling its capacity through the Chips Act.

The second day brought ECDA partners together for a strategic consortium meeting focused on project progress, knowledge exchange, and planning for the months ahead. Partners shared updates across work packages and explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration, align efforts, and maximize impact across the Alliance’s activities.

The Dublin event marked the beginning of a packed year for ECDA, with additional stakeholder events scheduled throughout 2025. More information will be shared via ECDA’s website, LinkedIn, Instagram and newsletter.

This event has now ended. The information below is provided for archival purposes. For a recap of the event, please visit this page.

The European Chips Diversity Alliance is excited to invite industry leaders, researchers, and professionals to a full-day event, organized by our partners Learnovate, MIDAS Ireland and EudaOrg, focused on DEI in the semiconductor industry on March 27th, 2025.

Hosted at Dublin City University, this gathering will feature engaging discussions, industry insights, and interactive workshops designed to advance workforce diversity and strengthen talent pipelines across Europe.

This event isn’t just about discussion—it’s about action. By participating, you will be part of the movement shaping the future of a more inclusive semiconductor industry.

📅 Date: March 27th, 2025
📍 Location: Dublin City University
🔗 Register now: Sign up here

Morning Sessions

• 10:00 – Registration
• 10:30 – Welcome & Introduction – John Blake, General Manager, MIDAS Ireland
• 10:35 – Introduction to Midas
• 10:45 – Introduction to SEMI Europe – Laith Altimime, President, SEMI Europe
• 11:00 – European Chips Diversity Alliance Overview – Reviliani Gani, Senior Manager of Diversity and Workforce Development, SEMI Europe
• 11:20 – Empowering Progress: DEI in Tech
  • Aileen Kelly O’ Sullivan, Staff Engineering Ops and Culture Ambassador, Qualcomm
  • Caroline Sasia, Executive VP Comms and Marketing, Soitec
  • Rachel O’ Neill, Associate Manager for DEI, Regeneron
  • Louis Cheng, Rewards, Analytics & Talent Solutions Partner at Merck Group
• 12:00 – Expert Panel Discussion
• 12:40 – Lunch Break

Afternoon Sessions

• 1:40 – Industry Research Insights – Nessa Maguire, Founder, EudaOrg
• 2:05 – Upskilling for Inclusion: Introducing DEI Talent Suite – Janka Kottulová, Researcher and Project Manager, Comenius University Bratislava and Stephan Schmuck, Senior Lecturer Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ESCP Europe
• 2:30 – Chip In! From Research to Reality – Richard Harte, UX Specialist and Janet Benson, Learning Lead & Senior Researcher, Learnovate
• 3:00 – Spotlight on Irish Initiatives
  • DCU STEM Teacher Internship Programme – Eilish McLoughlin, Associate Professor, Dublin City University
  • Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors Initiative
  • WEI Transition Year Programme Initiative – Margaret Spillane, onsemi
  • WE Step Up – Krystyna Dimtchev, Council and Executive Board Member, Engineers Ireland
  • TrailblazeHER – Claire MacNamee, Head of Enterprise Engagement, VP Partnerships and Engagement, TU Dublin
• 3:50 – Closing Remarks – Isabella Drolz, Vice President of Marketing & Product Strategy, Comet AG’s X-Ray Systems Division
• 4:00 – Reception & Networking

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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!

The post ECDA’s participation at ISS Europe appeared first on European Chips Diversity Alliance.

Victoria Cummings from SEMI Europe will present on “Addressing the Talent Gap through Education and Inclusion.” As a driving force behind the European Chips Skills Academy, Victoria has been instrumental in taking this initiative from strength to strength, ensuring Europe is equipped in the coming years with the talent needed to solve the workforce riddle. She will also speak about ECDA and the role our project is playing to promote a workforce that is inclusive of the world that we live in.

Maria Daniela Perez will lead a panel discussion on “Empowering Europe’s Workforce: Addressing Talent Gaps for Sustainable Growth.” Joining her on the panel are some of the brightest minds shaping the future of Europe’s workforce:

🔹Andreas SCHLEICHER, Director for Education and Skills, OECD – OCDE
🔹Meike Boekelmann, Chief Human Resources Officer, Comet
🔹Thomas Kralinski, Saxon State Secretary of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy, and Climate
🔹Catherine Le Lan de Franssu, European University Program Manager, Synopsys Inc

This discussion will tackle the critical talent shortages in microelectronics and explore how Europe can attract, retain, and upskill talent for long-term, sustainable industry growth. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion must be at the heart of this transformation. A thriving workforce is an inclusive workforce, and the steps we take today will define Europe’s position in the global semiconductor race.

🔗 We’ll be there! Will you https://lnkd.in/eipzhcTe

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Why Attend?

With 77% of employers globally struggling to fill open roles and 57% of customers showing loyalty to socially responsible companies, building an inclusive and diverse workforce is more critical than ever. This event provides a unique opportunity to:

• Gain insights from industry and academic leaders
• Explore the latest research on workforce diversity
• Engage in interactive workshops that offer practical tools for inclusion
• Learn from real-world case studies of workforce development successes
• Network with professionals committed to driving DEI in microelectronics

More information on the event including the full agenda is available here.

Be Part of the Change

This event isn’t just about discussion—it’s about action. By participating, you will be part of the movement shaping the future of a more inclusive semiconductor industry.

📅 Date: March 27th, 2025
📍 Location: Dublin City University
🔗 Register now: Sign up here

The post Event: Future Proofing Access to Diverse Talent in the Semiconductor Industry appeared first on European Chips Diversity Alliance.

We were thrilled to see the participation of Nessa Maguire from EudaOrg who shared an overview of ECDA.

At ECDA, we’re committed to fostering collaboration and driving impactful outcomes, and events like these are a perfect way to bring our community together to share knowledge and expertise. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success!

Watch Nessa’s talk 👉https://lnkd.in/eKuHkFBS

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