NEWS
College Features
- Publish Date：2025-03-27
Rebooting Careers: NYCU’s 3-Month Semiconductor Training Program Opens Doors for Non-STEM Talent
Edited by Chance Lai
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As the global semiconductor industry continues to surge, the demand for skilled talent is reaching unprecedented levels. According to statistics from Taiwan's job site, 104 Job Bank, the semiconductor sector posted an average of 26,000 job openings monthly in Q2 of 2024 — highlighting an urgent talent gap. But how long does it take to become a semiconductor engineer? Four years for a bachelor's degree? Two more for a master's?
To address the structural labor shortage, Taiwan's Ministry of Labor teamed up with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in 2020 to launch the Talent Development Base for the Semiconductor and Key Technology Industries. The initiative offers a fully subsidized, three-month practical training program targeting individuals with no prior background in science or engineering — helping them pivot swiftly into high-tech careers.
Recruiting Non-STEM Talent to Broaden the Tech Pipeline
A candid conversation with an industry veteran sparked the idea for the program. NYCU Vice President Yung-Fu Chen, tasked with establishing the university's semiconductor school, visited multiple tech companies to understand their hiring needs better. However, a meeting with MediaTek's HR director delivered an unexpected blow.
"He told me building a College of Semiconductor Technology was pointless," Chen recalled. The HR executive explained that most graduate students in these programs already came from STEM backgrounds and would likely enter the tech sector regardless — meaning the school wasn't expanding the talent pool, just giving degrees more polish.
That comment became a wake-up call for Chen. While continuing to nurture research-focused talent through NYCU's semiconductor school, he began exploring a new path to welcome non-STEM students. The Ministry of Labor quickly came on board.
Three-Month Training: Humanities Majors Welcome
The program offers three specialized tracks: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Semiconductor and Optoelectronics, and Semiconductor and Circuit Design. A new class opens each month, and each cohort undergoes 240 hours of instruction over three months — equivalent to four full university courses. After completing 40 hours of mandatory labor ministry coursework in employment and gender equality, students dive into 200 hours of technical training taught by a mix of retired professors, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and seasoned industry professionals.
Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of the program. In addition to semiconductor processing, optoelectronics, and circuit systems coursework, students participate in labs and site visits to bridge the gap between theory and practice. But can total beginners grasp such complex concepts in just three months?
To address the structural labor shortage, Taiwan's Ministry of Labor teamed up with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in 2020 to launch the Talent Development Base for the Semiconductor and Key Technology Industries. The initiative offers a fully subsidized, three-month practical training program targeting individuals with no prior background in science or engineering — helping them pivot swiftly into high-tech careers.
Recruiting Non-STEM Talent to Broaden the Tech Pipeline
A candid conversation with an industry veteran sparked the idea for the program. NYCU Vice President Yung-Fu Chen, tasked with establishing the university's semiconductor school, visited multiple tech companies to understand their hiring needs better. However, a meeting with MediaTek's HR director delivered an unexpected blow.
"He told me building a College of Semiconductor Technology was pointless," Chen recalled. The HR executive explained that most graduate students in these programs already came from STEM backgrounds and would likely enter the tech sector regardless — meaning the school wasn't expanding the talent pool, just giving degrees more polish.
That comment became a wake-up call for Chen. While continuing to nurture research-focused talent through NYCU's semiconductor school, he began exploring a new path to welcome non-STEM students. The Ministry of Labor quickly came on board.
Three-Month Training: Humanities Majors Welcome
The program offers three specialized tracks: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Semiconductor and Optoelectronics, and Semiconductor and Circuit Design. A new class opens each month, and each cohort undergoes 240 hours of instruction over three months — equivalent to four full university courses. After completing 40 hours of mandatory labor ministry coursework in employment and gender equality, students dive into 200 hours of technical training taught by a mix of retired professors, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and seasoned industry professionals.
Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of the program. In addition to semiconductor processing, optoelectronics, and circuit systems coursework, students participate in labs and site visits to bridge the gap between theory and practice. But can total beginners grasp such complex concepts in just three months?
Chih-Wei Lin, a former TSMC data engineer who now teaches in the program, says yes. "Seventy percent of students had no programming experience at the start. By the end, they could build basic games with the help of ChatGPT."
Since its launch, the program has run more than 30 cohorts and trained over 1,100 students — with around 30% coming from humanities or social sciences backgrounds. NYCU data show that over 70% of graduates have successfully transitioned into tech roles, landing jobs at leading Taiwanese companies such as Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC), Winstek Semiconductor, and Macronix.
"This program is like hitting the career reset button," said Chen. "It gives students dissatisfied with their original major — or those without STEM backgrounds — a real shot at transforming their futures."
A Win-Win-Win for University, Companies, and Students
According to Chien-Liang Lin, Training and Development Manager at PSMC, the program creates a triple win — for the university, companies, and students. Competing with industry giants like TSMC and MediaTek for talent is no easy feat. Still, the program has become a vital recruitment pipeline for PSMC, which has already hired over a dozen graduates.
However, he notes that humanities graduates typically start as assistant engineers and may need two to three years of on-the-job experience before advancing to full engineering roles.
Looking back on the past three years, Chen sees the program as a solution to workforce shortages and academic pressure. "My ultimate goal is to reduce the stress of college admissions," he said. "This gives students who weren't happy with their original university major a second chance to explore new interests and build new skills."
Building on the program's success, NYCU is planning more post-baccalaureate interdisciplinary courses and master's programs, raising the nation's tech literacy and expanding career possibilities for all.
Vice President Yung-Fu Chen (center) is dedicated to developing cutting-edge medical laser systems and cultivating top talent for the high-tech industry.Related Image(s)：
