Proposed India Semiconductor Academy will bring together industry and academia to expand hands-on training, strengthen career pathways, and prepare talent for India's growing semiconductor industry.
New Delhi, India, September 25, 2026 – SEMI, the global industry association serving the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, and the SEMI Foundation today highlighted a new collaboration with the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) to develop the India Semiconductor Academy (ISA), a proposed national, industry-led initiative designed to strengthen semiconductor education, workforce training, and employment pathways across India.
Announced at SEMICON India 2026, the collaboration brings together SEMI's global industry network and workforce development experience with IDTA's connections across India's technology and investment ecosystem. Together, the organizations aim to establish a coordinated approach to preparing the technicians, engineers, researchers, and other skilled professionals needed to support India's expanding semiconductor industry.
As India accelerates investment in semiconductor design, fabrication, advanced packaging, testing, equipment, and materials, developing a workforce with the technical expertise and practical experience required by employers will be essential to sustaining that growth.
The proposed Academy will address this need by bringing industry and educational institutions together to develop training programs, establish industry-recognized credentials, expand access to hands-on learning, and create clearer pathways from education to employment.
"SEMI is pleased to bring its global industry network and its experience with workforce-development initiatives to this collaboration," said Ajit Manocha, President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMI. "India has an important opportunity to connect educators, employers and learners through industry-defined competencies and hands-on training that can support semiconductor growth at scale."
Building on SEMI's Global Workforce Development Experience
Through the SEMI Foundation and its global workforce development initiatives, SEMI works with semiconductor companies, educational institutions, and workforce organizations to expand access to industry-aligned education, training, and career opportunities.
The India Semiconductor Academy will draw on this experience while developing an approach tailored to India's educational institutions, industrial priorities, and workforce needs.
"India has an extraordinary base of engineering and technical talent, and the semiconductor industry's continued growth creates an opportunity to connect that talent with emerging career pathways," said Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI. "Through this collaboration, we look forward to working with industry and academic partners to build practical training opportunities, strengthen the connection between learning and employment, and help prepare the next generation of semiconductor professionals."
The proposed Academy is expected to engage industry and academic partners, including Cadence, CG Semi, Dixon Technologies, Micron Technology, Synopsys, 3D Glass Solutions, the University of California San Diego, and IIT Kanpur.
Next Steps
SEMI and IDTA will establish a joint working process and consult participating industry and academic organizations to develop a detailed plan for the Academy. This process will identify the institutional structure, funding commitments, industry contributions, facilities, expertise, and other resources required to establish and sustain the initiative. Key priorities include:
- Workforce Forecasting: Establish an annual assessment of semiconductor talent demand and supply to anticipate workforce needs and inform education and training investments.
- Industry-Aligned Credentials: Develop industry-validated competency standards and credentials that equip learners with the skills employers need.
- Hands-On Training: Expand access to shared laboratories, advanced equipment, and simulation environments to strengthen practical technical skills.
- Apprenticeships and Career Pathways: Create and expand apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities that connect education with industry and accelerate career readiness
- Measurable Workforce Outcomes: Publish annual reports tracking job placements, retention, and other workforce outcomes to measure impact and guide continuous improvement.
About the SEMI Foundation
The SEMI Foundation’s mission is to support economic opportunity for workers and the sustained growth of the microelectronics industry through creating pathways and opportunities for job seekers and tools and systems for semiconductor companies to attract, develop, retain, and advance a diverse and skilled workforce. Visit the SEMI Foundation online to learn more, and follow the SEMI Foundation on LinkedIn.
About SEMI
SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 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 to learn more.