How You Can Make a Transition into the Semiconductor Industry

According to Chan Chun Sing, Minster for Trade and Industry, the semiconductor industry has seen a steady growth and the sector has very bright prospects in the coming years.

Semiconductor industry is among the few promising sectors in Singapore. That too at a time when the pandemic has impacted the job market globally. Precision industry is another sector that has recorded a positive growth despite the pandemic-induced slowdown.

The semiconductor industry has come a long way and according to a report, the industry's contribution to Singapore's gross domestic product has increased from less than 1 per cent in 1990 to 6.9 per cent in 2019.

In this scenario, making a transition into semiconductor industry could be the right move for professionals looking to make a switch.

Why should you think of transitioning into semiconductor industry?

The way things stand today, semiconductor jobs can be termed as a safe choice. Not only because semiconductors are critical technology enablers powering many of the cutting-edge digital devices such as smartphones but also due to emergence of highly sophisticated technologies such as Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G, and our growing dependence on these technologies.

Moreover, Singapore’s electronics sector recorded over $5.7 billion of investment in the first nine months of 2020. This investment is expected to create thousands of job opportunities in the coming years.

How do you know, if you are in the right role or similar domain to make a switch into semiconductor industry?

Even before thinking of transition, its important to know the nature of an industry.

Semiconductor for that matter is highly technical and demands professionals with strong backgrounds in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

So, professionals from industries such as aircraft and automotive maintenance, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), biomedical technology engineering, and construction could be the ones that can plan a transition to semiconductor industry.

Apart from understanding the nature of the industry, it is also required to take a stock of your transferable skills. The knowledge or expertise you already have and which can be applied to the industry or job role you are aspiring for.

Three transferable skills that can help in transition include:

• Mechanical aptitude
• Technical aptitude
• Effective communication

Which are the popular job roles in the semiconductor industry?

The best way to assess your suitability for a transition into semiconductor industry is to go through the job roles and what’s required. You then match your skills to the role. Identify the common skills and work on the areas that need upskilling.

Which are the courses that can help in making the transition into semiconductor industry?

The Singapore government is helping its workforce in upskilling with its various initiatives such as MySkillsFuture Singapore under SGUnited Skills program.

Professionals who want to make a switch or grow within their own industry can identify relevant training programmes to upgrade their skills and prepare for the job roles they are seeking.

Here are some of the courses that can help:

• Post-Diploma Certificate in IC Manufacturing
• Post-Diploma Certificate in Wafer Processing Technology
• Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits
• Advanced Topics in Semiconductor Devices
• Basic Semiconductor Devices Course
• Diploma in Microelectronics
• Cleanroom and Vacuum Technology

Which are the top companies in Singapore to apply for a semiconductor job?

Some of the well-known semiconductor companies in Singapore include:

• ROHM Semiconductor Singapore Pte Ltd
• Micron Semiconductor Asia Pte Ltd
• SSMC
• Semiconductor Technologies & Instruments Pte Ltd
• ASE Singapore Pte Ltd
• Semiconductor Components Industries Singapore Pte Ltd
• NEC Semiconductors
• ASM Pacific Technology
• Siltronic

Singapores semiconductor industry is over 50-year old and in the past few years it has shown positive growth despite the economic downturn. The growth is driven largely by demand from electronics such as smartphones and the explosion of applications including the Internet of Things, 5G and cloud computing.

A transition into the semiconductor industry for sure looks a right move.

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