When Raghu Panicker, the CEO of Kaynes Semicon (a 100% subsidiary of Kaynes Technology), decided it was time to fill more critical positions as his company expanded toward its goals in OSAT, his first inclination was to turn to traditional job platforms and campus connections.
However, despite exploring several options and interviewing numerous candidates, finding the right fit proved more challenging than he had anticipated.
"Many candidates weren't even able to understand the portfolio or the background," Panicker noted. He was particularly struck by the lack of curiosity among applicants. "For example, when we look for embedded systems experts, they never even asked what product, which area, or which vertical—embedded systems can be anywhere."
The problem was not exclusive to Kaynes. In recent conversations with DIGITIMES, executives from ARM, AMD, and Marvell have also highlighted the meticulous steps they've had to take.
However, Panicker found a potential solution when a startup, Perceptives Solutions, reached out to him. Perceptives' focus is on bridging the skill gap in the semiconductor industry by setting up Centers of Excellence (COEs) at multiple universities.
"Our goal is to teach semiconductor manufacturing processes, provide hands-on equipment access, implement best-in-class processes, offer cleanroom environment experience, and, most importantly, promote a disciplined approach," explains Bhanupriya K, the managing director of Perceptives Solutions.
Perceptives Solution has already roped in universities such as Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Gujarat Technological University, Sastra, among others. The goal, according to Bhanupriya, is to set up COEs for semiconductor manufacturing and packaging to bridge the demand and supply gap by targeting students early in their academic careers.
Bridging the gap
By establishing COEs, Perceptives Solutions aims to introduce semiconductor manufacturing topics in the 7th and 8th semesters. Bhanupriya believes this early exposure helps to "catch them young," preparing students for the industry.
"We are working with a major semiconductor company in India to teach a 4-week program on manufacturing, fabrication, testing, quality, and reliability," Bhanupriya said. "This collaboration underscores the industry's commitment to training their new hires in these areas."
Candidates should ideally have a comprehensive understanding of VLSI design and manufacturing before entering the industry. Perceptives Solutions has aligned with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) to introduce its programs and is working with trainers to set course curricula at these universities and institutes.
"We are collaborating with equipment vendors, government bodies, educational institutions, and the industry to fund and install manufacturing lines and cleanroom centers at these universities," Bhanupriya added. "This initiative will mimic the manufacturing facilities of OSAT/ATMP, providing students with hands-on experience."
Panicker pointed out that for many companies, visiting numerous universities to find suitable candidates is difficult.
"That's where our partnership became valuable," he explained. "They've been supporting us with critical hires from a talent acquisition standpoint. They took on the responsibility of visiting about 10 to 12 universities, engaging with them, understanding their programs, and connecting with like-minded institutions."
Bringing trainers from overseas
A key concern for semiconductor manufacturing in India is its nascent stage. Even training candidates is challenging due to the shortage of experts. Considering this, Perceptives has roped in experienced candidates from overseas.
One of them is Tony Lee, a trainer with over 30 years of experience in the OSAT industry in Malaysia. Lee believes that the approach of building CoEs will help offer an end-to-end perspective to students.
"Previously, when I taught the VLSI design program, my students only understood the chip design process and lacked insights into the manufacturing aspect," Lee said. "Now, I can showcase the entire process - from chip fabrication to assembly, testing, and packaging. This comprehensive approach helps students understand design and manufacturing, allowing them to design chips more effectively and cost-efficiently."
Lee emphasized the importance of integrating design and manufacturing in education, stating, "Without this knowledge, designers often found themselves over-designing or under-designing. By integrating design and manufacturing, my students gain a better perspective of the entire process, from fabrication to system integration. They learn how a chip is fabricated, packaged, tested, and assembled, and eventually how it becomes part of a larger system, such as a PCBA, with subsystems connected through wire harnesses."
Measuring the success
The success of any initiative, particularly the CoEs for semiconductor manufacturing, should be measured by the number of trained engineers graduating from the program and securing positions at companies.
Bhanupriya believes that in a year, Perceptives Solutions will be able to meet at least 10% of market requirements.
"Perceptives Solutions has set specific metrics for this initiative," Bhanupriya said. "Over the next 6-8 months, we aim to train and place a minimum of 50 individuals who have completed a combined program in VLSI design and manufacturing. Our vision is to create a continuous pipeline of skilled engineers who enter the training program, receive comprehensive training, and subsequently secure employment. This outcome represents the true success of our initiative."
In the long term, Perceptives Solutions plans to expand this initiative to more institutes, establishing additional CoEs.
