Written By:
Brandon Jones
Skills Manager
CSconnected
The semiconductor industry is growing at an incredible pace, and South Wales is at the heart of this expansion. As the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, CSconnected brings together industry leaders, research institutions and academic partners to drive technological advancements.
The components we develop power everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions. Whether people realise it or not, they rely on semiconductors pioneered in Wales every day.
The semiconductor industry has the potential to be a major driver of the Welsh economy, generating jobs and increasing GVA in the region. To make the most of it we need to tackle a significant skills gap. While Wales produces highly skilled graduates, including Master’s and PhD-level researchers who push forward innovation, there is a pressing need for more talent at levels three, four and five, focusing on developing the core skills essential for success in the sector to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled workers for the industry. This is where apprenticeships play a vital role.
Apprenticeships allow businesses to develop talent in-house, ensuring that employees have the specific skills they need. For apprentices, the opportunity to earn while they learn, gaining hands-on experience and industry knowledge, is invaluable. Many of the industry leaders we work with today started out as apprentices and have gone on to build long-term careers in semiconductors. The structured training and mentorship they received early on helped them to develop the problem-solving and teamwork skills that are essential in this field.
One of the key benefits of apprenticeships is that they provide a pathway for young people to enter an exciting and growing industry without necessarily following the traditional academic route. Degree apprenticeships in particular allow individuals to gain a high-level qualification while working, ensuring that businesses retain skilled workers and apprentices develop a deep understanding of the sector from day one.
Our world-leading industry partners run apprenticeship programmes, offering hands-on training in a cutting-edge industry, with great career prospects as the sector continues to grow in Wales. Despite the clear benefits, one of the biggest challenges we face is awareness. Many people simply don’t know about the opportunities available in the semiconductor industry. That’s why we are working closely with colleges, universities and training providers across South Wales to improve understanding and engagement. We’re also expanding outreach through summer clubs, boot camps and school programmes to showcase what this industry has to offer.
The demand for skilled workers in this sector is growing, and apprenticeships are a crucial part of the solution. Whether it’s school leavers looking for their first career step or individuals considering a change of direction, apprenticeships provide a direct route into a cutting-edge industry with long-term prospects. With the right investment in training and skills, we can ensure that Wales remains at the forefront of semiconductor technology, creating additional high-value jobs and opportunities for generations to come.
