Following the recent announcement by Lord Patrick Vallance, the Minister for Science, about an investment of £4.75M in support of semiconductor skills, the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has announced the launch of the Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP). This investment in building a robust pipeline of skills will provide crucial support enabling more young people to pursue Electronics Engineering careers, and help to underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector.

Semiconductor: STEP will consist of four connected projects, from schools’ outreach through to post-graduate training. The UKESF will work with a number of collaborators, including CSA Catapult, Techworks, Aston University, Sheffield University, STFC and the Institute of Physics, along with 30 UKESF partner universities, to deliver the projects and maximise impact.

The projects include:

  • Semiconductor Skills in Schools is designed to improve awareness of the semiconductor sector and encourage positive experiences of Electronics, through the provision of free resources, events and teacher CPD.
  • The Semiconductor Talent Award will provide financial support and skills development opportunities to those embarking on an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree at a one of the UKESF’s 30 partner universities in September 2025.
  • The Semiconductor Skills Development Course will support undergraduates and recent graduate students to further their understanding of the design flow process and EDA tools used for implementing designs, ahead of on-the-job training.
  • Semiconductor Skills for Physics Graduates is a feasibility study for a development programme that would enable physics graduates to further their understanding of semiconductor design, materials and opto-electronics, and providing a route into careers in the semiconductor industry.

Find out more about the programme here. 

The UK Semiconductor sector is “strategically vital and globally competitive”, and supports “high-value roles in design, R&D, and manufacturing” (Semiconductor Workforce Study, 2025), which have the potential to provide rewarding careers for young people. However, the demand for semiconductor skills vastly outstrips supply. This multifaceted approach will begin to tackle the skills shortage in the UK’s semiconductor sector.

Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF commented “We’re absolutely thrilled to be asked by DSIT to deliver the Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP). This investment in starting to build a robust pipeline of skills will have an incredible impact on the Semiconductor Industry as a whole, and provide crucial support enabling more young people to pursue careers in our sector.”

This programme builds on the UKESF’s strong track record of working collaboratively with Schools, Universities and Employers to deliver meaningful Electronics outreach and engagement activities.

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