Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to section 7.4 on Skills and talent in the National Semiconductor Strategy, published by her Department on 19 May 2023, what her expected timescale is for a reduction in shortages of people with the skills required for operator and technician-level positions; and what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on ensuring that (a) vocational, (b) graduate and (c) post-graduate courses help to reduce skills gaps in the semiconductor industry.

The Government’s new National Semiconductor Strategy recognises that skills are a fundamental building block underpinning the semiconductor sector at every stage from research, development, and innovation, through to commercialisation and industrial scale up.

That’s why the Government is taking action to make the UK talent pool stronger and more dynamic, supplying industry across all regions of the UK. From apprentices to PhD graduates, we are focussed on ensuring the UK has the right people with the right skills for the job.

Our approach to skills within the Strategy comes broadly in two parts: first, our investment in schools and teachers, as well as career advice and outreach programmes to inspire the next generation, and to nurture the higher education sector. Second, we will promote industry-led learning to ensure a robust pipeline of talent that meets their needs.

The Government has already supported over 450 PhD students since 2017 to begin semiconductor related research. And we will continue to provide support to Centres for Doctoral Training to help produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers.

We will also ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of the semiconductor industry.

In addition, we are supporting the Department for Education’s Institute of Technology programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We are encouraging more employers who serve the semiconductor industry to engage with the Institute of Technology programme to ensure that the sector’s specialisms are better served through this novel education delivery mechanism.

Getting our approach right on skills is a cross-government effort. We will continue to work with the Department of Education, industry partners and wider stakeholders on this agenda as we progress the commitments within the Strategy.