Micron and NAMTECH Collaborate to Foster Talent Pipeline for Advancing India's Semiconductor Packaging Industry

Micron Technology and NAMTECH, an AM/NS India education initiative, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing the development of a talent pipeline crucial for driving India's semiconductor manufacturing aspirations. The semiconductor industry in India is anticipated to quadruple to a capitalization of USD 110 billion by 2030. The MoU signing took place at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in the presence of  Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Cabinet Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology.

The collaboration will encompass hands-on educational and training initiatives aimed at nurturing a skilled and globally competitive talent pool. The focus is on providing diverse and sustainable career paths in engineering. This effort aligns with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which is dedicated to enhancing capacity development. ISM seeks to establish a resilient, self-reliant semiconductor assembly and test ecosystem, propelling India into a prominent position as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.

"With the collaboration between Micron and NAMTECH, we are shaping the future of semiconductor education and manufacturing in India, while sculpting a global narrative of innovation and technological prowess. This partnership, forged under the umbrella of the India Semiconductor Mission, propels our nation towards a self-sufficient and pioneering role in the semiconductor landscape. With unwavering commitment, we stride confidently into a new era, leveraging the synergies between academia and industry, ultimately contributing to India's technological ascendancy on the world stage. To further support the semiconductor industry and its ecosystem, we also request Micron to establish a Center of Excellence in Gujarat," said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Cabinet Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics, and IT

With Micron's proven expertise in developing top-tier manufacturing operations and cultivating skilled leadership, the company will play a crucial role in supporting NAMTECH. This support will involve establishing industry-grade semiconductor assembly and test laboratories, clean rooms, and other essential infrastructure components. The goal is to create an incubation hub that provides students with hands-on and practical learning experiences, using state-of-the-art equipment.

"This synergistic collaboration with NAMTECH is an opportunity to build the talent and skill essential to the semiconductor assembly and test industry. The partnership enables us to leverage India's well-established talent pipeline for the semiconductor ecosystem, not just regionally but also on a global scale," said Gursharan Singh, Micron’s Senior Vice President of Global Assembly and Test Operations.  

Micron and NAMTECH are dedicated to enhancing academic resources essential for fostering a diverse talent pool. This commitment involves tailored, hands-on learning experiences, curriculum development, and faculty training. The collaboration strives to offer internships and job opportunities for NAMTECH students, fostering connections between students and industry experts. It also includes organizing educational visits to industrial zones and facilitating technical projects.

"The partnership with Micron heralds a new chapter for NAMTECH, an establishment created by, for, and with industry. NAMTECH's deep focus on experiential learning, coupled with Micron's preeminence in semiconductor technologies, will cultivate skilled specialists adept at navigating the intricacies of a rapidly evolving sector that will continue to rise in the Indian subcontinent and beyond," said Sanjay Sharma, NAMTECH Board member and Vice President of ArcelorMittal.

Micron aims to establish a continuous source of well-trained talent from NAMTECH for its global manufacturing units, ensuring a consistent pipeline for the domestic industry. The upcoming assembly and test facility in Sanand, Gujarat, by Micron is anticipated to generate around 5,000 direct employment opportunities within the company and an additional 15,000 community jobs in the years to come.