Semiconductor industry is "thirsty" for learners

Vietnam currently needs tens of thousands of workers in the semiconductor industry, with attractive salaries... This is considered an opportunity for young people who are passionate and want to study this industry.

FPT Polytechnic College students study semiconductor technology

High income

Student Pham Thi Huynh Kim (21 years old), class of Electronics - Communications, K.21A Electronics - Communications, Cao Thang Technical College, Ho Chi Minh City, said that she and her friends are completing the last lessons to prepare for the defense of their graduation thesis after 3 years of studying. Previously, after completing a 3-month internship at Intel Products Vietnam Company (Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park) in the position of chip tester, Huynh Kim was highly appreciated and gained some valuable experience so that after graduation, she can confidently apply for this company or similar companies.

Meanwhile, Tran Thi Bich Tram, a former student of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics, Cao Thang Technical College, shared that she has worked for 10 years at Intel Products Vietnam Company with a current salary of over 30 million VND/month. “Managing, analyzing data and monitoring work progress for modules is a job that satisfies my passion for learning about chip production line operations. The salary and benefits are also quite good,” said Bich Tram.

According to a survey by the Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Technology Association, domestic and foreign enterprises need 1,000-1,500 high-quality engineers and workers each year. Of which, newly graduated Microchip Design engineers receive an average salary of about 15 million VND/month; engineers with 1-3 years of experience have an income ranging from 15-30 million VND/month. On average, after 6 years of work, these engineers receive a salary of 600 million VND to 1 billion VND/year; engineers with 10 years or more of experience will receive a salary of over 1.5 billion VND/year. For those studying semiconductor technology in positions such as assembly, testing, packaging, chip testing, repair and maintenance, etc., the probationary salary ranges from 7-10 million VND/month; Working from 3 months to 1 year has a salary of 10-15 million VND/month, the highest level is from 20-30 million VND/month, depending on the specific job position.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimates that by 2030, Vietnam will need about 15,000 microchip and semiconductor design engineers, 35,000 engineers working in semiconductor chip factories; at the same time, it will create 154,000 indirect jobs (packaging and testing...), contributing 360,000 billion VND to GDP.

Attractive opportunity

Universities are stepping up plans to build training programs, expand training scale, and enrollment targets for majors and specialties related to the field of microchip and semiconductor design. The vocational education system has also taken action and made preparations in advance. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Viet Huong, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs), said that vocational education institutions have begun to implement training in the field of Microchip and Semiconductor Design in some schools that have invested in high-tech development, with advantages in equipment, lecturers, and training programs. In particular, the focus will be on 5 issues: long-term basic training, conversion training, advanced training, retraining, and direct training. "In fact, many colleges and vocational education institutions have been training and cooperating to train semiconductor human resources in the field of packaging and testing," Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Viet Huong informed.

As one of the few vocational training institutions leading the way in training semiconductor technology human resources, FPT Polytechnic College (HCMC) has signed an agreement with Pearson Education - UK to transfer the semiconductor technology training program (BTEC) to Vietnam. From this school year, students studying semiconductor technology at FPT Polytechnic College are the first generation of semiconductor personnel in Vietnam to receive formal, systematic training. "Career counseling and enrollment activities for semiconductor technology are bustling. We believe that we will recruit enough 500 students in the 2024-2025 school year," said MSc. Tran Van Nam, Vice Principal of FPT Polytechnic College.

Meanwhile, Master Nguyen Dang Ly, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City International College, said that the school is currently recruiting 150 students for training programs related to semiconductor technology, including automotive technology, industrial electricity, computer programming, and network management at the college level for high school graduates (studying for 2.5 years) and the 9+ system (for middle school graduates, studying for 3.5 years). Students who complete the course are awarded a college degree, and this degree is recognized by universities that have signed training cooperation agreements with the school, from which students continue to study for 2 more years to obtain a regular university degree. In addition, students are also exempted from or have reduced tuition fees, and receive scholarships during their studies... "However, up to now, the number of applications the school has received has only reached about 30% of the target," said Master Nguyen Dang Ly.

Similarly, MSc. Lai Nguyen Duy, Head of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Faculty of Electricity and Electronics, Cao Thang Technical College, Ho Chi Minh City, informed that in the 2024-2025 school year, the faculty will enroll 180 students majoring in Semiconductor and Microchip Technology. As of mid-July, the school has recruited 60% of its enrollment target and will end enrollment at the end of this month. Ly Tu Trong Technical College (HCMC), Thu Duc College of Technology (HCMC), Nguyen Tat Thanh College (HCMC)... have so far only recruited about 50% of their enrollment target.

QUANG HUY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nganh-cong-nghe-ban-dan-khat-nguoi-hoc-post751800.html