The semiconductor industry is moving faster than ever. Staying competitive means keeping up with not only technological advances, but also the talent and workforce strategies that will sustain long-term growth.
Our VP of Operations, Stuart, attended ISES EU 2025 in Dresden, Germany, where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and workforce development experts came together to discuss the future of semiconductors. While the event covered innovation, supply chain resiliency, and global policy alignment, Stuart brought back a clear message: the future of semiconductors depends on people.
If you couldn’t attend, we’ve got you covered. Here are the key workforce-related takeaways from ISES EU 2025 that every semiconductor leader should know.
1. Collaboration Is Critical
Western semiconductor markets are facing mounting competition, and to stay ahead, collaboration is non-negotiable. Strong alignment between industry, government policy, research institutions, and workforce development initiatives is essential.
No single sector can solve the talent shortage or innovation gap alone. Companies that actively partner with universities, training organizations, and policymakers will have a competitive advantage in building a steady pipeline of skilled talent.
2. Attracting Talent Remains a Challenge
One of the biggest hurdles the semiconductor industry continues to face is attracting new talent. Despite being at the center of global innovation, the sector isn’t always perceived as “exciting” by job seekers.
The reality is very different: semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology. They drive the AI revolution, enable everyday devices, and power industries from healthcare to automotive. Consider the evolution of vehicles—20 years ago, a car contained just a single chip. Today, that number exceeds 3,000, and within the next five years, it’s expected to surpass 5,000.
Making these impacts visible and telling the industry’s story in a more compelling way will be key to positioning semiconductors as a dynamic, future-focused career path.
3. Diversity Matters
The need for greater diversity in the semiconductor workforce was another key theme. In particular, increasing the number of women in the industry remains a top priority.
Diverse teams drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and create stronger organizations. Companies that actively invest in inclusive hiring practices, mentorship programs, and career pathways for underrepresented groups will not only meet social responsibility goals but also strengthen their competitive edge.
4. Look to Adjacent Industries
With the semiconductor talent shortage expected to persist, companies are encouraged to look beyond traditional candidate pools.
Two promising pipelines highlighted at ISES EU include:
- Medical device professionals who often have transferable technical skills
- Veteran populations known for discipline, adaptability, and strong problem-solving abilities
By targeting adjacent industries and offering structured reskilling opportunities, semiconductor companies can expand their access to highly capable talent.
5. Training and Development Are Essential
Another major theme from the conference was the importance of career development within semiconductor organizations.
Companies should take a closer look at their technical ladders and provide clear opportunities for employees to step into:
- Mentorship roles to pass on critical knowledge to the next generation
- Leadership roles to ensure the industry has a strong pipeline of future decision-makers
Retention isn’t just about compensation. Employees who see a path to growth are far more likely to stay and contribute long-term.
6. Roles in High Demand
When it comes to workforce planning, two categories of roles stood out at ISES EU as being especially critical in the near future:
- Sales roles – As companies push to expand revenue and market share, client-facing talent will be a top hiring priority
- AI engineering roles – As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into semiconductor design and manufacturing, demand for AI-focused engineers will only accelerate
Companies that begin proactive recruitment strategies today will be better positioned to secure this scarce talent tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
The semiconductor industry is entering a period of rapid transformation. The technology powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles depends on an evolving, highly skilled workforce.
The key message from ISES EU 2025 is clear: talent is the true differentiator. Companies that invest in collaboration, diversity, talent attraction, and long-term development will be the ones to stay competitive in an increasingly global market.
At TPD, we specialize in helping semiconductor organizations meet these workforce challenges head-on. From identifying hard-to-find engineering talent to building scalable recruitment and retention strategies, we partner with you to ensure your team is equipped for the future.
If you’d like to dive deeper into these themes or discuss workforce strategies in more detail, feel free to connect with Stuart directly on LinkedIn.
Want to learn how we can support your hiring needs in the semiconductor industry?