PIC education initiative tackles UK semiconductor skills shortage
T
o help develop much- needed skills for the semiconductor
industry, a college in the UK is collaborating with two firms to deliver an integrated photonics training programme. As part of the Photonic
Integrated Circuit Packaging Academy (PICPAC) project, South Devon College is partnering with packaging specialist Bay Photonics and microelectronics bonding company Davies & Bell, and has received £500,000 to become an educational stronghold in chip fabrication and packaging. Dr Andrew Robertson,
CTO at Bay Photonics, said: “South Devon is recognised nationally as having a cluster of specialist semiconductor photonics companies. This project is focused on providing semiconductor training skills that the UK semiconductor industry is crying out for to ensure we remain competitive in this strategically important and rapidly growing market.”
Courses in PIC assembly, packaging, and testing Despite recent investments in the semiconductor sector, there’s been a significant shortfall in practical knowledge and training in assembly, packaging, and testing (APT) – critical steps in bringing these semiconductor devices to the market.
The PICPAC project will
create and deliver bespoke courses on these very aspects of photonic packaging that have been neglected until now, to fill a crucial gap in the UK’s technological landscape. South Devon College will
deliver these courses in formats and schedules tailored to suit the industry’s needs, from one- and two-day professional short courses to a full-time degree – a UK first, transforming the college into a national centre for semiconductor photonic packaging training.
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The project aims to train students with key integration skills
Advancing skills to secure the UK’s lead in the supply chain Dr Roger Hopper, Skills Development Coordinator for Engineering at South Devon College, said: “Partnering with Bay Photonics and Davies & Bell, industry leaders in the tech arena, South Devon College will capture industrial training requirements and translate them into course content to ensure that Devon, and the UK, is at the forefront of this technological revolution.” “The UK has been a global
leader in key parts of the semiconductor supply chain, a legacy the PICPAC project is poised to reinforce. With these educational courses, we will boost our workforce’s skills and secure our future in the global technological race.” In addition to enabling
everyday conveniences, semiconductor photonic devices are crucial in cutting- edge technologies such as quantum computing. These will be the game-changers of tomorrow, dictating the future of telecommunications, data communications, and imaging. Dr Hopper said: “By investing in education and training, the PICPAC project will ensure that these chips are packaged to operate in real-world applications, keeping the UK at the helm of this rapidly growing field. With Bay Photonics and Davies & Bell we are stepping forward in a brilliant initiative, showcasing British prowess in this global arena. By leading in photonics, we aren’t just lighting up our corner of Devon – we’re illuminating the future for all of us.”
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