With demand for semiconductor skills vastly outstripping supply, the goal is to help tackle the skills shortage in the UK’s semiconductor sector.

STEP Partners

Effectively, it building a  pipeline of skills and enabling more young people to have careers in electronics engineering careers. This is where the UKESF – an educational charity tackling the national electronics skills shortage – becomes the facilitator.

It is following a model that has already been successfully used by the government in other areas, such as cyber security, the CEO of UKESF Stewart Edmondson told Electronics Weekly.

The UKESF already has links with 30 partner universities, for example, to help deliver the STEP projects and maximise the programme’s impact. It will also work with a number of other organisations. These include the CSA Catapult, Techworks, Aston University, Sheffield University, STFC and the Institute of Physics.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be asked by DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) to deliver the Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme,” said Edmondson, right.

“This investment in starting to build a robust pipeline of skills will have an incredible impact on the Semiconductor Industry as a whole, and provide crucial support enabling more young people to pursue careers in our sector.”

Projects

Basically, STEP consists of four connected projects, from schools’ outreach through to post-graduate training.

The first project (Skills) is Semiconductor Skills in Schools. This will aim to improve awareness of the semiconductor sector and encourage positive experiences of Electronics. For example, through the provision of free resources, events and teacher CPD.

The second (Talent) is The Semiconductor Talent Award. This will provide financial support to students starting an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree. There will also be skills development opportunities. Note this will apply for applications in September 2025 to one of the UKESF’s 30 partner universities, which span the four countries of the UK.

The third (Education) is The Semiconductor Skills Development Course. This will support undergraduates and recent graduate students. Specifically, to further their understanding of the design flow process and EDA tools used for implementing designs. This is ahead of on-the-job training.

Finally, there is the Programme aspect. Semiconductor Skills for Physics Graduates will be a feasibility study for a development programme for physics graduates. It will enable them to further their understanding of semiconductor design, materials and opto-electronics, and providing a route into careers in the semiconductor industry.

Government support

The UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, first announced funding for the initiative at the end of April. In terms of funding, the package is part of the government’s Plan for Change. This aims to encourage more young people into high-value semiconductors careers.

The wider, long-term context is the 2023 publication of the UK Government’s Semiconductor Strategy. This has made the development of the UK’s semiconductor sector something of a bi-partisan issue.

So, the immediate short-term approach is the one-year Semiconductor STEP, with its £4.75m of approved funding. But this area will be subject to the (three year) Government Spending Review that will be underway at the Treasury. The UKESF, however, is hopeful the funding will continue in coming years.

“One year won’t be a panacea,” added Edmondson, “but it is a beginning.”

Pipeline

Speed being of the essence, the practical implementation of this one-year programme involves dealing with the current 2025 student pipeline, Edmondson told us.

Addressing this 2025’s intake, it will be encouraging existing students in the system to consider the semiconductor sector. “Under 20% of electronics graduates actually go into the semiconductor industry,” he highlighted.

UKESF

As mentioned, UKESF – an educational charity established in 2010 – works to tackle the national skills shortage for electronics, especially semiconductor design and manufacture.

It works collaboratively with major companies and leading universities on a range of education Electronics-focused activities, projects and teacher training.

The organisation highlights this year’s Semiconductor Workforce Study. It quotes that the UK Semiconductor sector is “strategically vital and globally competitive”. It also supports “high-value roles in design, R&D, and manufacturing”.

However, while the sector has the potential to provide rewarding careers for young people, demand for such skills runs ahead of supply.

See also: UKESF, Apple strengthen ‘Girls into Electronics’ partnership