Recommendation 14

HM Government Accepted

The Government recognises the importance of skills across our semiconductor sector, and is taking action to make the UK talent pool stronger and more dynamic. Our approach to skills within the Strategy comes 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. In order to do so, we are: • training more highly skilled engineers, through expanding our support for Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in semiconductor related fields, through EPSRC. These CDTs will produce the next generation of internationally recognised doctoral researchers—who will address key interdisciplinary engineering and physical sciences needs aligned to regional, national and global priorities across academia and industry. • supporting schools and higher education, together with the Devolved Administrations, through the largest increase in government funding for the higher education sector in over a decade. The Government is building a pipeline into STEM subjects that are core to future careers in the semiconductor sector— The Semiconductor industry in the UK: Further Government Response 11 physics, mathematics, engineering and electronics. This includes: offering a Levelling Up Premium to teachers worth up to £3,000 over the next two academic years; supporting teachers to access training and resources; promoting STEM outreach activities in the semiconductor sector; supporting the Apprenticeships Diversity Champions Network; and setting up the Unit for Future Skills (UFS) to improve the quality of jobs and skills data. • encouraging industry-led learning. the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Education (DfE) are working to ensure that occupational standards for apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and T-Levels meet the specific requirements of employers in the semiconductor sector. We are supporting the Institute of Technology (IoT) programme which has been backed by £300 million of government capital investment. We will also support the Digital Skills Council, launched as part of the Digital Strategy that brings together government and industry to drive forward industry led action, addressing industry’s current and future demand for digital skills, including semiconductor specific skills. • welcoming international talent. Through the GREAT Talent Campaign, we will promote the UK semiconductor sector through a dedicated campaign web-page. We will support the recruitment of talented engineers from across the world, as employers based in the UK can make use of visa schemes such as the High Potential Individual Visa, Scale-Up Visa, and Global Talent Visa, amongst others. We will also work with international allies—such as Japan, as agreed in the UK-Japan Digital Partnership—to facilitate the mutual exchange of our skilled researchers, academics, students and engineers with international institutions and companies.