Addressing the Semiconductor Engineering Talent Shortage

Engineering students from four Vietnamese universities recently received Synopsys IC Design Scholarships

Engaging students early in their academic journey is essential for developing future professionals. According to a recent YouScience report, students who participate in business-academic partnerships are more likely to pursue internships, earn certifications, and launch careers in related fields.

Through the SARA program, we connect educators and students to industry partners, provide access to cutting-edge technology resources, and help expand workforce development opportunities around the world. This includes:

• Giving electronic design automation (EDA) tools and curricula resources to academic institutions in more than 85 countries.
• Working with GlobalFoundries to develop a “chip design to tapeout” program for university classrooms.
• Hosting a series of “silicon summer school” camps and classes.
• Awarding Synopsys IC Design Scholarships to university students pursuing engineering degrees.
• Empowering educators in Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries through our “Train the Trainers” program.
• Providing technology resources, expertise, and support for educational competitions like the Technical University of Munich Hackathon and Teknofest in Turkey.
• Developing practical engineering skills and encouraging interest in technology careers through hands-on programs like the Synopsys Outreach Foundation.

Technology also plays a crucial role in addressing the engineering talent shortage.

Synopsys was the first EDA company to introduce AI-driven design tools, and we continue to develop new solutions that help engineering teams be more productive — despite staffing shortfalls.

Our AI-driven tools:

• Automate routine tasks, streamline complex workflows, and accelerate decision-making throughout the chip development process.
• Help new engineers ramp up faster.
• Allow experienced engineers to focus on problem solving and innovation.

As these tools evolve, so too will engineering workflows and productivity. In the near future, AgentEngineer™ technology will operate more autonomously, deliver deeper insights and greater automation, and fundamentally change how all engineering work is executed.

With a critical shortage of talent, today’s and tomorrow’s engineers must adapt their skills and workflows to fully leverage the productivity benefits of modern design solutions.

We’re not just creating new tools — we’re also putting them into the hands of engineers and providing opportunities to learn new skillsets and workflows. This includes:

• Self-paced learning through the Synopsys Learning Center to help students, educators, and engineers develop advanced design skills.
• Global boot camps and intensive chip design academies, with up to 12 weeks of hands-on training with our tools.
• Professional development programs in collaboration with Samsung Semiconductor India Research, Arm Semiconductor Alliance, TSMC, and other industry partners.
• Workforce development programs for underrepresented communities in partnership with the SEMI Foundation.

As a leader in silicon to systems design, Synopsys is uniquely positioned to bring together academia, industry, and government — and deliver next-gen technologies — to address the semiconductor engineering talent shortage.

Engaging students early and partnering with institutions around the world will attract and prepare the engineers of tomorrow. Developing new AI tools will accelerate workflows and increase productivity for professionals at all levels. And providing training and technology resources will help engineers evolve within a fast-changing industry.

Through these efforts, we are not only meeting today’s challenges but also laying the foundation for sustainable growth and technological innovation in the years to come.