With the launch of the Microelectronics Academy, the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) is laying the foundation for modern training programs in the field of microelectronics and nanoelectronics to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. In cooperation with educational institutions and industry partners, the academy will develop practice-based modules as part of a one-year conceptual phase and test them over the next three years.
The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD), a cooperation between the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics and the Leibniz Institutes FBH and IHP, is the central point of contact for all issues relating to microelectronics and nanoelectronics in Germany and Europe. FMD has recently established a microelectronics academy throughout Germany, which is being realized as part of two projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - the cross-location competence center for resource-conscious information and communication technology 'Green ICT @ FMD' and the FMD module quantum and neuromorphic computing 'FMD-QNC'. The Microelectronics Academy aims to develop and test new content and formats for training specialists in the field of microelectronics and nanoelectronics. Whether as a supplement to university education or as an additional qualification for employees: The idea promises training and further education opportunities for employees in the field of microelectronics as well as for young scientists. In order to provide modern and, above all, practice-oriented learning and training opportunities, the Microelectronics Academy aims to work closely with educational institutions, existing projects to promote young talent and industry.
Prof. Gerhard Kahmen, Scientific and Technical Director of IHP GmbH - Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics, one of the thirteen institutes cooperating in the FMD, has been appointed Director of the Microelectronics Academy. Under his leadership, the first year of the 3-year project phase will see the conception of a set of modules tailored to the needs of the specialist field, which will then be tested in practice in selected pilot modules. The Microelectronics Academy is a first building block to counter the shortage of skilled workers in this field and serves as an impetus for follow-up activities in the field of microelectronics training. As an overarching, national academy, programs will be created at both state and national level.
Content focus on microelectronics topics of today and tomorrow
The FMD aims to offer practice-oriented training and further education courses for microelectronics specialists (Source Image 2: FMD)The high degree of specialization required in the field of microelectronics is to be made possible at an excellent scientific level in three thematic pillars and the demand for specialists is to be optimally covered. The two pillars derived from the 'Green ICT @ FMD' and 'FMD-QNC' projects, 'Resource-conscious ICT' and 'Practice-oriented semiconductor engineering and technology', together with the third pillar 'Designof microelectronic circuits and systems', form the thematic basis of the Academy. The long-term aim is to actively influence and promote areas such as climate protection and sustainability, new computing technologies and trustworthiness in the semiconductor and chip sector.
Mario Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research, says: "The innovative strength in chip development stands and falls with the specialists and young talent and their ideas. They are a central component of Germany as a technology location and their promotion is therefore a particular concern of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This is why we are expanding the existing training and further education program with the help of the Microelectronics Academy. The shortage of skilled workers in this future-oriented industry is already noticeable and will be further exacerbated by the EU Chips Act and new semiconductor factories in Europe. With the Microelectronics Academy, we are making a concrete contribution to achieving the goals of the German government's new skilled labor strategy."
Prof. Gerhard Kahmen, Director of the Microelectronics Academy, explains: "The value creation of electronic systems takes place to a large extent in the design of systems and chips as well as in the operation of the infrastructure and clean rooms required for production, which requires a large number of specialized specialists. The Microelectronics Academy aims to counteract the shortage of specialists in the field of microelectronics at a national level through close networking and cooperation with industry, universities and training institutions as well as politicians." He also emphasizes once again the strategic and geopolitical relevance of central skills in the microelectronic value chain: "Microelectronic systems are the nerve cords of a modern economy and increasingly permeate all areas of society. The availability of state-of-the-art and, in particular, trustworthy microelectronics is therefore the prerequisite and the basis for technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe, which enables us to live our liberal values and represent them in the world."
In implementing the Microelectronics Academy, the FMD can draw on the diverse and long-standing experience of its cooperating institutes and the knowledge gained from existing projects. This is the best way to pave the way for outstanding knowledge transfer in theory and practice in order to counteract the challenges of the increasing shortage of skilled workers.
Pooling synergies and promoting networking
FMD is not only responsible for the organizational management of the Microelectronics Academy, but also for the three specialist pillars of the programme. The overarching goal is to improve the quality of specialist training in the field of microelectronics. In addition to close collaboration with industry and research partners, cooperation with educational institutions and existing training and further education initiatives is therefore being sought. This will result in numerous synergies as well as the opportunity for comprehensive teaching of theory and practice. The cooperation between the players involved in the academy is to be extended to the whole of Germany and, in the long term, to Europe, resulting in a close-meshed network of knowledge transfer.
It is planned that the Microelectronics Academy will facilitate access to the subject of microelectronics for interested parties with different levels of previous training through certification and qualification courses. In addition, the promotion of young talent through a comprehensive and practical learning and training program will be a central focus. Furthermore, the academy provides access to practical design environments as well as state-of-the-art production infrastructures and test environments.
