Building the future of semicon talent together
The semiconductor sector in our region is developing rapidly and the ambitions for the coming years are significant. As part of the regional ambitions towards 2035, the Lifeport Semicon program is working towards substantial growth of the sector in the Arnhem Nijmegen region. That growth comes with an important challenge: an estimated need for 7,000 additional employees in the coming years.
To better understand what this means for our region, we spoke with Jan-Paul Kimmel, Program Director of the Lifeport Semicon Talent Plan at The Economic Board, one of Noviotech Campus’ regional partners. In this role, he works together with companies, educational institutions and ecosystems such as Noviotech Campus across the region to strengthen the future talent pipeline for the semiconductor sector.
One thing became clear very quickly during the conversation: this is not a challenge that can be solved through traditional recruitment alone. The answer is not simply attracting more students into mechatronics or computer science programs. According to Jan-Paul, a much broader transition is taking place in the way we think about talent, education and collaboration.
Across the region, educational institutions are increasingly experimenting with new forms of learning. Challenge based education, modular learning paths, collaborations between companies and students, lifelong learning offerings and practical innovation environments are all becoming more important. Initiatives such as StudentBase are examples of how companies and knowledge institutions are trying to bring different worlds together in a much more natural and continuous way.
Student Base Lifeport is a regional community and programmatic engine that brings students, companies and educators together through real world challenges, living labs, hybrid learning and working environments, and a vibrant home base at Noviotech Campus.
At the same time, the search for talent is widening. Not only towards students currently studying engineering, but also towards international talent already living in the region, people changing careers, lifelong learners, women in technology, status holders and experienced professionals who still want to contribute their knowledge and expertise instead of retiring.
The good news is that many positive developments are already happening. Knowledge institutions in the region are increasingly finding each other and connecting to industry in new ways. The HAN University of Applied Science is strongly connected to practical applications within industry, Radboud University contributes with highly relevant fields such as AI, data science, neuromorphic computing and quantum related research, while ROC vocational college is actively exploring how existing programs such as automotive technology can implement fine mechanical and precision technology skills needed within semicon.
At the same time, companies for example at Noviotech Campus are opening up more often for student projects, challenges, guest lectures and collaborations. More and more organizations realize that attracting future talent is not just an HR responsibility. It is something we collectively shape as a region through visibility, accessibility and enthusiasm for the sector.
And that visibility matters. Many young people still do not really know what the semiconductor sector is or how much impact it has on everyday life. While semicon plays a crucial role in innovations related to healthcare, energy, AI, mobility, safety and digitalization. There is also still work to do when it comes to culture, diversity and connecting younger generations to the sector in a way that feels relatable and inspiring.
Jan-Paul shared a beautiful example of ArtEZ students who worked with historical semicon objects from the LINK museum collection and translated them into artistic concepts and stories. It brought together technical pensioners from the early days of the semicon industry and young art students who normally would probably never meet. Completely different worlds, talking together about technology and innovation from entirely different perspectives.
In addition, collaboration between regions becomes increasingly important. The challenges around talent and innovation are not unique to the Arnhem Nijmegen region. Other semicon regions such as Brainport and ChipTech Twente are facing similar developments. By staying connected and learning from one another, regions can strengthen each other instead of competing in isolation. As one of the Top Campussen in The Netherlands, Noviotech Campus also helps in strengthening these connections.
A lot is already happening across the region and the momentum is clearly there. More companies, educational institutions and innovation ecosystems, such as Noviotech Campus are finding each other and working together to strengthen the future of semicon talent in the Netherlands.
Would you like to contribute? Perhaps by welcoming students into your company, supervising an intern, becoming a guest lecturer, joining a challenge or simply opening your doors to introduce others to the world of semicon? Let us know. We are happy to connect you with the right people and initiatives within the network.
Because whether we realize it or not, everyone working in semicon is also an ambassador for the sector.
