Vietnam Must Cultivate Talent to Ride the New Wave of Microchip Investment

Mr. Vu Chi Thanh, Principal of FPT Polytechnic College, emphasized the imperative for Vietnam to prioritize the cultivation of high-quality human resources for the forthcoming wave of IC (Integrated Circuit) investment.

Recently, BTEC FPT British College hosted a workshop titled "Solutions for Developing Human Resources for the Wave of IC Investment in Vietnam," drawing the interest of numerous industry experts and businesses. Concurrently, BTEC FPT announced its official membership in the Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Circuit Technology Association (HSIA).

The workshop had the participation of Mr. Nguyen Phuc Vinh - Member of the Executive Committee of HSIA and also Senior Director of Technical Applications of Synopsys Vietnam; Mr. Le Huynh Lan - General Director of Mantis Vietnam; Mr. Vu Chi Thanh - Principal of FPT Polytechnic College - BTEC FPT; Dr. Nguyen Minh Son - Head of Department of Computer Engineering, University of Information Technology (a member of the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City).

Throughout the workshop, experts and representatives from participating entities offered diverse perspectives and insights, shedding light on the training roadmap and the imperative of fostering the semiconductor industry in preparation for the forthcoming wave of microchip investment in Vietnam.

Representatives from enterprises engaged in the semiconductor sector remarked on Vietnam's two key strengths in this industry: design and packaging. In the design phase, there is a substantial demand for human resources to directly entice Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) enterprises to venture into Vietnam. As the semiconductor industry advances to a pivotal threshold, Vietnam faces a growing imperative to ramp up efforts in training professionals and skilled engineers. This strategic move aims to solidify the country's positioning within the semiconductor value chain ecosystem.

"Training institutions must cultivate robust university-industry (U–I) ecosystems to propel advancement in this field. The symbiotic relationship between educational institutions and enterprises is paramount in updating curriculum with cutting-edge programs and facilitating internship opportunities and hands-on experience for students, thereby mitigating the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application," Mr. Nguyen Phuc Vinh - Member of the Executive Committee of HSIA - said.

Mr. Vu Chi Thanh, Principal of FPT Polytechnic College, underscored the necessity of nurturing high-caliber human resources to fully capitalize on Vietnam's potential, particularly in preparation for the imminent influx of microchip investment. "As the pioneering college to offer a training program in semiconductor technology, BTEC FPT has been proactive in staying ahead of the curve in training and nurturing talent in the field regarded as the "cornerstone" of the technological era."

To expedite the augmentation of the quantity and quality of the semiconductor workforce, experts advocate for the formulation of policies and regulations by the State to incentivize businesses to invest in the R&D of semiconductor production facilities. Furthermore, semiconductor training institutions should foster collaboration with international companies and corporations in the industry. This will support training and research activities in semiconductor technology, keeping pace with the latest advancements and developing training programs closely aligned with real-world applications.

In addition to the workshop on developing high-quality human resources in response to the wave of foreign investment in the semiconductor industry, the event also included a ceremony to welcome BTEC FPT as a new member of HISA. Established in 2013, the Association brings together reputable experts and businesses in the semiconductor field, serving as a bridge between the state, domestic and international scientists, and businesses in semiconductor technology. It opens up opportunities for BTEC FPT to collaborate with organizations in research, training, dissemination, application, production, business, and services within Ho Chi Minh City's IC industry. Such collaboration aims to support each other in training, research, experience exchange, and enhancing professional knowledge in the industry, contributing to the broader goal of scientific and technical advancement. This initiative is a significant effort to ensure human resources development in the semiconductor industry in HCMC and throughout Vietnam. Additionally, it creates initial opportunities for BTEC FPT's semiconductor technology students to gain practical experience and expand their prospects in the future.

In addition to fostering in-depth cooperation with domestic technology corporations and training units in the semiconductor field, BTEC FPT is also actively signing agreements to develop training programs. These agreements include internships with partners from leading countries in semiconductor manufacturing, such as Korea and, most recently, Taiwan. BTEC FPT recently held a signing ceremony to formalize a workforce training cooperation with Liteon and Mayo, two prominent Taiwanese enterprises. This partnership aims to expand employment, internship, and study abroad opportunities for students in semiconductor technology. Liteon will commission high-quality human resource training from BTEC FPT and, in return, will sponsor scholarship programs for outstanding students to study and work in Taiwan. It will enhance students' personal and professional development by exposing them to an international working environment. Additionally, Liteon has committed to giving priority to BTEC FPT students for internships and positions at Liteon's manufacturing facilities.

In Vietnam, Liteon Vietnam Co., Ltd. was established in 2013 with 100% investment capital from Taiwan. The company specializes in manufacturing electronic circuit boards, packaging, assembling, and completing printheads, scanners, WiFi modules, and other electronic components. Currently, Liteon Vietnam is a potential partner for renowned brands such as Fuji Xerox, Kyocera, ASUS, and Amazon. Additionally, Mayo Human Capital is a leading supplier of cloud-based human resource management software, offering solutions for recruitment, HR management, timekeeping, smart payroll, and employee benefits integration.

BTEC FPT's collaborative efforts with domestic and international training units, organizations, and businesses in the semiconductor field are expected to significantly contribute to the overall development of Vietnam's semiconductor industry. Moreover, graduates from BTEC FPT will benefit from guaranteed job opportunities with high salaries, promising career development prospects, and recruitment commitments from leading businesses.