Twente chip industry seeks 4,500 new technical workers

The chip industry in the Twente region of the Netherlands is facing a significant labor shortage, with companies projecting a need for nearly 4,500 additional workers by 2030. To address this, the Semicon Learning Center has opened in Rijssen to train both young professionals and career changers.

This center serves as the first of six planned locations under the Microchip Talent Twente Reinforcement Plan. The initiative facilitates collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, allowing students and workers to tackle real-world industry challenges. The program aims to ensure that training aligns closely with the specific technical needs of the semiconductor sector.

The regional effort is part of the national Beethoven program, which focuses on investing in technical talent for the growing chip industry. The Dutch government has allocated 72 million euros toward these plans in Twente, supplemented by regional investments.