U.S. Faces Semiconductor Worker Shortage of Up to 157,000 by 2030, Report Says

According to CNBC, the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 157,000 semiconductor workers by 2030, according to a new report from McKinsey and the SEMI Foundation. Samsung semiconductor executive Jon Taylor said there are not enough technical workers in the pipeline, while chipmakers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Intel, Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung are expanding U.S. manufacturing and training efforts to fill roles in engineering, technicians and supply chain. The article said only 3% of U.S. engineering graduates enter the semiconductor industry each year, and 73% of chip employers report significant difficulty filling engineering jobs. Samsung is starting production at its first of two new fabs in Taylor, Texas, later this year as part of a $35 billion buildout expected to create about 3,500 jobs, while Micron is building an advanced memory fab in Boise, Idaho, and another in Clay, New York. ASML recently opened a U.S.-based training center, and universities including Purdue and Arizona State are expanding semiconductor programs to help build a domestic talent pipeline.