The newly published ECSA Skills Strategy 2025 provides a timely and comprehensive update on the talent landscape in Europe’s semiconductor and micro-electronics sector. 
Key findings include:
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A structural challenge: around 30 % of the current workforce in the sector (including skilled workers and educators) is expected to retire by 2030, while the inflow of graduates is growing by less than 1 % per year.
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As a result, the industry is projected to face an annual shortfall of about 10 800 skilled professionals across the value chain in Europe by 2030.
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The report draws on the views of 130 experts from industry, research and education and covers revised job-demand forecasts, emerging skills (e.g., AI, system design, cybersecurity) and policy/training recommendations.
For Europe to remain competitive in microelectronics and semiconductor value chains, especially under the umbrella of the Chips Act and related initiatives, building and maintaining a new generation of skilled talent is indispensable. The Skills Strategy 2025 shows that addressing this is not a near-term optional extra, but a vital strategic necessity.
AENEAS’ contribution
As part of the 18-partner ECSA project consortium, AENEAS plays an active role in bridging education, research, training and industry needs for the microelectronics ecosystem in Europe.
In particular, AENEAS contributes by:
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Co-organising the ECS Summer School (“Fascinating Electronics for a Cool World”), designed to inspire and equip new talent with hands-on experience, industry insight and cutting-edge knowledge.
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Supporting the alignment of industry skills needs and training programmes with the evolving demands of the semiconductor sector, including those identified in the Skills Strategy.
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Helping to mobilise the broader ECS (Electronic Components & Systems) community—companies, research institutes, educators—to respond collectively to the talent gap.
What’s next
We encourage all stakeholders: industry players, training providers, higher education institutions, policymakers – to download and review the full Skills Strategy 2025 and commit to concrete action: developing curricula, launching up-skilling/reskilling initiatives, expanding awareness of micro-electronics careers, and building cross-sector collaborations.