Semiconductor IC Design is at the heart of Industry 4.0, but the training of high-quality human resources for this sector in Vietnam is yet to prosper. Finding effective solutions to “unblock” these bottlenecks in training and to meet the rapidly growing demand for semiconductor industry is key to allowing Vietnam swiftly narrow the gap with global technology powerhouses.
Vietnam’s Semiconductor Industry: A Rocky Road
Experts estimate that Vietnam needs around 10,000 to 15,000 semiconductor engineers per year to accommodate the needs of local and global businesses. However, the supply of high-quality human resources has still underperformed. This disparity between supply and demand introduces considerable pressure on educational institutions and businesses.
At present, Vietnam boasts more than 300 universities and colleges, of which about 35 offer training programs or transition courses from disciplines related to semiconductors and ICs. Moreover, highly specialized faculty in this field remains humble in quantity as most trainers are invited from other STEM fields, such as Information Technology, Electrical-Electronics, or Automotive Engineering. There is also a lack of in-depth practical training and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Another significant barrier is the gap between theoretical knowledge at school and practical demands of businesses. The costs associated with equipment and infrastructure necessary for technology training have introduced a top challenge for semiconductor training institutions. Vietnam has low availability of neither companies nor high-tech fabrication plants in the semiconductor and integrated circuit industry, leaving students with almost no opportunities for hands-on experiences.
Although many industry-university partnerships are established, most remain limited to signing agreements, without much specific engagements, such as internships, joint research, or networking events. The absence of regular internship programs or career-day events leaves students uninformed of career opportunities.
Phenikaa Semiconductor Training Center (PSTC) - A Comprehensive Solution for Semiconductor Training
Phenikaa Semiconductor Training Center (PSTC) was established in response to these challenges with a comprehensive solution, offering a modern learning environment, in-depth training programs, and an experienced faculty, and helping Vietnam quickly close the gap with global technology leaders.
Moving on from traditional curricula, the PSTC-developed training model embodies the principle of “learning by doing”, consistently bridging theory and practice. With practical modules such as Analog IC, Digital IC, Synthesis, DFT, Physical Design, Verification, and Firmware, trainees spend two-thirds of their course time in hands-on labs that are best aligned with real-world practices. Notably, trainees gain access to the world’s most advanced chip design technologies, such as virtualization on Zebu5 and Zebu4, significantly accelerating the development of complex chips (with billions of transistors) by up to thousandfold.
In addition to experienced and competent Vietnamese instructors, PSTC brings in long-standing experts from leading semiconductor corporations, such as Synopsys – a global giant in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and semiconductor IP. Top Synopsys experts are in charge of teaching specialized majors: DFT, STA, Zebu, or HAPS, using Synopsys-provided syllabi and materials. This partnership enhances the validity of PSTC’s curricula and ensures their consistent relevance with industry advancements, empowering graduates with job-readiness for higher employment opportunities.
Setting up the agenda towards 2030 with the aim of training at least 8,000 IC design engineers and 12,000 advanced engineers/technicians with international certifications for plant assembly, packaging, and testing, PSTC offers specialized services, including: Demand-driven on-the-job training; Market-driven IC designing, focusing on essential AI niche products; and Providing region’s and world’s top IC design services. Powered by a comprehensive, long-term approach in from-basic-to-advanced training, extensive upskilling, practical internship and problem-solving for real-world business demands, PSTC serves as a hub for nurturing talents at the levels of architects and chief engineers in the industry, contributing to developing a complete semiconductor workforce taxonomy for Vietnam.
To maximize the power of collaboration in the semiconductor industry, Phenikaa has formed linkages with reputable public/private partners, both domestically and internationally, spanning government agencies, research centers, educational institutions, and large-cap enterprises in the field. The honor of welcoming the U.S. Ambassador in a recent work visit to Vietnam further underscored PSTC’s endeavors in positioning Vietnam’s semiconductor industry on the global technology map. “We are delighted that Phenikaa has made significant strides in fostering partnerships with US-based universities, such as Michigan State University and Arizona State University, and companies, especially Synopsys. These synergistic partnerships would pave the way for closer collaboration between the United States and Vietnam, not only strengthening economic ties but also diversifying and fortifying the supply chain. This is to ensure Vietnam’s growth as a key manufacturer of semiconductor and other high-tech products, as well as the roadmap towards a future of prosperity, peace, and stability for both countries,” remarked U.S. Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper during his visit to PSTC...”- .
With its solid potential and advantages in the semiconductor ecosystem, and relentless efforts in promoting collaboration and partnerships with leaders in the field in order to develop a highly skilled workforce to accommodate the growing demands of Vietnam’s and the world’s semiconductor industries, Phenikaa Semiconductor Training Center (PSTC) fosters career opportunities, scientific research, technology transfer, and innovation, empowering young Vietnamese generations in this market to position in the global semiconductor workforce taxonomy.
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As a key strategic member within the Phenikaa Group, Phenikaa Semiconductor and IC Design Training Center – PSTC plays a critical role in the Group’s technology ecosystem. The center is in charge of research and training work in semiconductor IC design, technology transfer, international collaboration, resource mobilization, and partnerships with both local and global stakeholders in order to enhance research and training activities in semiconductor IC design for meaningful contribution to an ampler labor supply and a rosier future of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry. PSTC offers upskilling programs from 3 to 12 months in areas, such as digital IC design, analog and mixed-signal IC design, IC manufacturing, packaging, and testing, etc. |