Semiconductor Association Holds Semiconductor Academy Completion Ceremony Linked to Recruitment

Corporate Talent Development Ready for 'Immediate Deployment'
78.6% Employment Rate for Last Year's Advanced Course Graduates

The Korea Semiconductor Industry Association announced on the 30th that it held a graduation ceremony for five advanced courses of the Korea Semiconductor Academy and a job fair linked to recruitment at the Suwon Convention Center. As a result of operating a 300-hour program similar to a university semester, the employment rate of graduates last year reached 78.6%.

The Academy was launched in July 2022 as part of the government's 'Semiconductor Superpower Achievement Strategy.' It was opened with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to support industry-led workforce development. Centered around Director Hong Seong-ju (former head of SK Hynix Future Technology Center), the Academy is intensively nurturing talent in fields where manpower is practically needed, such as materials, components, equipment, and post-processing, in collaboration with companies. Classes are conducted in connection with recruitment.

While universities support increasing the number of semiconductor industry personnel and building basic knowledge, the Academy supports on-site specialized experiential learning by educating current employees and experts with industry know-how. In May, with support from Gyeonggi Province, an additional approximately 300-pyeong (about 991 square meters) education center was opened in Pangyo. The number of participating companies increased to 28 from 20 last year.

The trainees participating in the graduation ceremony are talents selected by overcoming a maximum competition rate of 12:1. They completed up to 300 hours of education programs. They carried out theoretical and practical training as well as projects proposed by companies. They also participated in a project presentation session where they presented project results in front of experts and received guidance.

A job fair was also held. It was conducted with about 10 companies that participated in the Academy's educational program operation or wish to recruit in related fields. Recruitment briefings and counseling sessions were held. Support was provided to enable both online and offline interactive recruitment through the recently opened Academy recruitment support system-based online talent matching.

The Association stated that since the Academy officially started its educational programs last year, it has continued quantitative and qualitative growth this year. It plans to seek cooperation with local governments in the future and fulfill its role as a channel for human exchange by cooperating with countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Vietnam.

Director Hong Seong-ju said, "Among last year's graduates, 78.6% of advanced course graduates were employed," adding, "The proportion of employment in small and medium-sized enterprises is 67%, contributing to the balanced growth of the semiconductor industry." He also said, "In the case of Myongji University, credit-recognition education is being actively promoted, granting up to 6 credits to Academy graduates."

Kim Jeong-hoe, the Association's full-time vice chairman, said, "Since the industry is working together to nurture semiconductor personnel, we will strive to supply talent to the necessary fields."