European Chips Skills Academy Publishes 2025 Skills Strategy Report

Updated Assessment Provides Insights Into Europe’s Semiconductor Talent Gap

BRUSSELS – November 19, 2025 – The European Chips Skills Academy (ECSA), an European Union (EU)-funded initiative coordinated by SEMI Europe, today announced the publication of the Skills Strategy Report 2025 by DECISION Etudes & Conseil. Building on the essential data presented in the 2024 edition, this year’s report provides an updated and comprehensive analysis of the growing talent shortfall in Europe’s semiconductor industry.

The report identifies a structural imbalance between workforce demand and supply, revealing a shortage of skilled professionals across the European semiconductor ecosystem due to an aging workforce and a limited inflow of new talent. Nearly 30% of the current workforce is expected to retire by 2030, while the number of graduates entering relevant fields continues to grow by less than 1% per year. This mismatch is projected to result in an annual shortfall of approximately 10,800 skilled workers across the value chain. 

“The 2025 ECSA Skills Strategy Report offers a comprehensive view of the talent landscape across Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem,” said Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe. “Its findings highlight the scale of the unprecedented challenge we face and the urgency to act. This report underscores the need for collaboration between industry, policymakers, and education systems to ensure that Europe develops the skilled workforce essential to sustaining its technological ambitions.”

The report’s qualitative analysis draws on insights from more than 130 experts representing industry, academia, and training organisations. It outlines emerging job profiles, highlights the most difficult positions to fill, and identifies key trends in skills demand that extend beyond traditional manufacturing. From system design and verification to cybersecurity and AI-enabled hardware architectures, the semiconductor workforce of the future is being reshaped by cross-disciplinary and hybrid skillsets. 

“The 2025 edition of the Skills Strategy Report clearly shows that Europe’s semiconductor talent challenge has entered a new phase,” said Léo Saint-Martin, Senior Consultant at DECISION Etudes & Conseil. “Addressing this requires more than short-term measures. Strengthening collaboration between education and industry, and aligning curricula with evolving technological needs, will be key to ensuring a steady flow of qualified professionals who can sustain innovation and growth across Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem.”

The 2025 Skills Strategy Report is now available for download from the ECSA website. It offers a comprehensive view of current and future workforce requirements, regional skill-gaps, and actionable recommendations for industry, education providers and government bodies alike.

Download the 2025 report: ECSA Skills Strategy 2025 - European Chips Skills Academy
Access the 2024 edition: ECSA Skills Strategy 2024 - European Chips Skills Academy

About SEMI

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards, and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services, and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

About ECSA

Launched in October 2023, the European Chips Skills Academy (ECSA) addresses skills shortages across Europe's semiconductor sector. The initiative collaborates closely with industry, academia, and policymakers to upskill, reskill, and attract new talent to the semiconductor workforce, supporting Europe's digital transition and sustainable growth.

For further information: https://chipsacademy.eu.