Strengthening Germany’s Chip Industry with skills4chips

Transforming Microelectronics Training with €12 Million Investment

The IVAM Microtechnology Network is part of the Skills4Chips project, a groundbreaking initiative supported by a €12 million investment over the next four years by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This ambitious project is designed to tackle the pressing skills shortage in microelectronics (ME) and microsystem technology (MST) through the creation of the Microtec Academy, a national educational hub dedicated to fostering and advancing expertise in these critical fields.

Addressing the Skills Gap in Microelectronics

For decades, the demand for training in microelectronics has outpaced supply, despite the central role of microchips in everyday life—powering devices from smartphones to advanced healthcare technologies. The Skills4Chips project aims to bridge this gap and propel Germany towards achieving the European Union's objective of doubling its share of global semiconductor production by 2030.

With the backing of this substantial funding, the Microtec Academy will provide comprehensive training opportunities spanning the entire educational spectrum. Programs will include career orientation initiatives, dual education pathways, re-entry options for professionals, and advanced upskilling modules. These efforts are vital to meeting the growing demands of Germany’s semiconductor sector while ensuring a sustainable and skilled workforce that underpins the future of “Chips made in Germany.”

Project Details

• Coordinator: Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik
• Funding Volume: €12 million over four years
• Partners: Regionales Berufsbildungszentrum des Kreises Steinburg
  Technische Universität Braunschweig
  Hochschule Kaiserslautern / Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences
  IVAM Microtechnology Network
  microTEC Südwest e.V.
  Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Network Partners:
  FMD - Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland
  Silicon Saxony

This initiative represents a pivotal step in addressing workforce challenges and ensuring Germany remains a leader in microtechnology innovation. By building the Microtec Academy, Skills4Chips is set to equip the nation’s workforce with the tools and expertise needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven global landscape.

Contact: Dr. Jana Schwarze, IVAM
js@ivam.de