VIEWPOINT 2023: John Ghekiere, VP, Product & Technology, ClassOne Technology

John Ghekiere, VP, Product & Technology, ClassOne Technology

We were highly encouraged by the passage of the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, which appears poised to magnify the impact of the committed funding and genuinely foster growth. One notable economic benefit will be growth in the high-wage jobs typical of this industry – accelerating an already steeply rising need for a qualified, experienced workforce.

However, this same job growth will exacerbate an existing shortage of experienced talent, without outsized impact to makers of mature technologies (e.g., RF, analog, silicon-based power) as well as emerging technologies (e.g., GaN and SiC power, wireless ICs, microLEDs), both of which already face stiff price pressure.

Meanwhile, large mainstream manufacturers are actively luring experienced talent away from these typically smaller firms. The demand becomes – for both mature and emerging tech makers – to innovate more, faster, with a less experienced workforce, at lower cost...during a time of unprecedented supply chain disruption.

The industry must look to equipment providers to develop unit processes that remove operational complexities and reduce cost of ownership, while still introducing enabling innovations that land in the fab with reliable performance on day one. This big ask is by no means impossible. The ingredients are present: mature/emerging device manufacturers' entrepreneurial drive; CHIPS Act provisions oriented explicitly to these segments and establishment of regional tech hubs; and innovative rethinking among equipment makers focused on these segments.

John Ghekiere, VP, Product & Technology
ClassOne Technology
http://www.classone.com

We search for industry news so you don't need to.

Search

Free Newsletter Subscription
Semiconductor Packaging News is built for professionals who bear the responsibility of looking ahead, imagining the future, and preparing for it.

Insert Your Email Address