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Singapore Semiconductor Sector Sees 1,000 Job Openings at Career Fair Amid Rising Student Interest and Work-Study Pathways
29 January 2026
ITE signs three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Advanced Substrate Technologies Pte Ltd, HOYA Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd and United Test and Assembly Center Ltd to train talent for the semiconductor industry.
Singapore’s semiconductor industry is seeing renewed hiring momentum in 2026, with nearly 1,000 job openings available at the Electronics & Semiconductor Career Fair, held as part of Electronics Industry Day 2026 at ITE College Central today.
A total of 20 semiconductor companies are participating in the career fair, connecting students and jobseekers across a wide range of roles, including technology, manufacturing operations, equipment and process engineering, and quality assurance. This hiring momentum is supported by strong growth forecast of the industry, driven by structural demand for AI and data connectivity.
Electronics Industry Day is one of Singapore’s largest industry-led platforms bringing together industry, students and jobseekers to support talent development in the electronics and semiconductor sector. The event comprises both a career fair and an industry showcase, offering exposure to industry technologies, internship opportunities, and career pathways across the semiconductor industry, and is expected to attract more than 2,000 students and jobseekers.
The industry showcase, supported by 38 companies, features a broad range of advanced manufacturing and semiconductor solutions, including high-precision photomasks and other critical technologies supporting the industry’s growth. On-site activities include flash mentoring, resume crafting and interview mastery workshops to support jobseekers and students in preparing for interviews and improving placement outcome.
The event was officiated by Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education, reflecting continued collaboration between industry, education institutions and government agencies to strengthen Singapore’s semiconductor talent pipeline. Such efforts are important to strengthen Singapore’s economic competitiveness and provide Singaporeans with good jobs for the long-term.
Mr Ang Wee Seng, Executive Director, SSIA, said, “Behind every breakthrough in AI, mobility, connectivity and advanced manufacturing is a workforce with deep technical capability. The more than 1,000 vacancies, from participating semiconductor companies this year reflect Singapore semiconductor industry’s strong demand for technical and engineering roles and continued growth momentum in the sector. Through SSIA’s partnership with NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and ITE, and working closely with our industry partners, we aim to support jobseekers and students by providing practical guidance and structured pathways into the sector. What matters is ensuring Singapore’s electronics talent pipeline remains resilient and future-ready.”
“The number of vacancies at this year’s Electronics and Semiconductor Career Fair reflect sustained demand for technical and engineering talent across the sector,” said Mr Gary Goh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Industry Partnership Group, e2i. “To help employers meet this demand, e2i works closely with industry partners to identify, develop and deploy talent, while bringing quality job opportunities directly to jobseekers, including fresh graduates. Beyond this career fair, employers can partner e2i to build a ready pipeline of skilled talent, while jobseekers are encouraged to leverage e2i’s career guidance and employability support to build meaningful and sustainable careers in the electronics and semiconductor industry.”
Ms Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said, “SSIA’s Electronics Industry Day is an important industry-led platform that brings job opportunities in the semiconductor industry directly to our students and mid-career jobseekers. We are encouraged by the strong hiring demand from participating companies this year, and welcome more industry partnerships that can provide structured training, long-term career pathways and good job outcomes for student graduates and mid-career job seekers.”
Youth pipeline strengthening as student demand rises
Alongside immediate hiring demand, the sector is also seeing encouraging signals from the education pipeline.
Interest in semiconductor pathways at ITE has grown, with the number of Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering students choosing to specialise in semiconductor-related modules doubling from 80 in 2023 to 160 in 2026. The number of trainees in the ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) in Microelectronics programme has also grown steadily.
Mr Peter Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Technical Education, said, “We are encouraged by our students' growing interest in the semiconductor industry. As demand for skilled talent in this sector continues to rise, so too will career opportunities. Through our partnerships with leading industry players, we can ensure our students gain valuable real-world exposure and hands-on experience that will open doors to meaningful careers in the semiconductor industry."
Increasingly, students are taking up industry internships and Work-Study pathways with electronics and semiconductor companies, with many progressing into employment upon completion. Some have also continued to upgrade through company-supported sponsorships for further diploma and degree studies, reflecting a strengthening pipeline from training to careers.
ITE signs three new MOUs to strengthen Work-Study Diploma pathway for Microelectronics
As a key highlight of Electronics Industry Day 2026, ITE signed three new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading semiconductor companies: Advanced Substrate Technologies Pte Ltd (AST), HOYA Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd (HOES) and United Test and Assembly Center Ltd (UTAC).
The partners will offer structured internships and hands-on training for Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering students, engage WSDip in Microelectronics trainees, and provide advisory inputs to ensure the Higher Nitec and WSDip programmes remain aligned with industry needs. Additionally, they will collaborate with ITE through joint projects, workshops and seminars, with AST and UTAC offering staff industry attachments and HOES facilitating learning visits. More than 500 students and trainees as well as 50 staff will benefit from these initiatives over the five-year partnerships.
Student Profile 1: Marc Gavriel Chandramohan
Marc Gavriel Chandramohan, ITE Work-Study Diploma in Microelectronics [2025 Intake], Staff Technician, STMicroelectronics
Since secondary school, Marc has been fascinated by the practicality of science, be it conducting experiments with chemicals in a laboratory or dealing with technologies such as robotics. Given his inclination to hands-on work and his interest in science, Marc enrolled in the Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering course at ITE College Central.
In Year 2, Marc chose to specialise in Microelectronics after consulting his lecturers. He had a five-month attachment at STMicroelectronics (ST). Through the attachment, Marc demonstrated proactiveness, a willingness to learn, adaptability to new tasks and strong problem-solving skills. These outstanding qualities did not go unnoticed as ST proceeded to offer Marc a full-time Staff Technician role after he graduated from his Higher Nitec course and sponsored his current Work-Study Diploma in Microelectronics. This has allowed Marc to gain relevant industry experience and upskill himself.
At ST, Marc is known for his ability to quickly grasp complex systems He takes the initiative to improve existing processes, proving himself to be an asset to the organisation. Marc is excited about his prospects of working in the semiconductor industry because no two days are the same and there are opportunities for him to grow both personally and professionally given the fast-evolving nature of the industry.
Marc said, “The WSDip programme gave me real work experience and taught me practical skills I can use in my career. The working environment in STMicroelectronics is amazing. Everyone is helpful and welcoming, and these factors encourage me to give my best at work.”
Student Profile 2: Goh Jun Hui Darren
Goh JunHui Darren, Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering [Year 3]
Growing up, Darren was intrigued by how electronic devices such as his phone, tablet and laptop could work so seamlessly and efficiently. He was amazed at how using simple gestures like tapping, typing, swiping and scrolling would get the job done. He has been interested in science since his secondary school days and decided to take up the Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering at ITE College Central.
At ITE, Darren faced a steep learning curve with the introduction of new concepts that were not taught in secondary school. Nonetheless, Darren was determined to excel in his academics and took the initiative to seek guidance from his lecturers and formed study groups with his peers so that they could all help one another.
In Darren’s second year, his curiosity towards microelectronics deepened when he attended an open house where students could explore and consider various electronics engineering specialisations. For his outstanding academic performance, he was nominated to join the SSIA Semiconductor Active Youth Ambassador Programme where he participated in hands-on training sessions, interacted with industry leaders and gained valuable exposure to semiconductor technologies.
Darren aspires to further his studies in Microelectronics at a local polytechnic and subsequently carve out a career in the computer and electronics industry and possibly pursue a track in the gaming development sector.
Darren said, “Apart from my career aspirations, I want to become a mentor to my juniors and be able to impart valuable skills and give them industry-related advice. It is about paying it forward even as my seniors have done unto me.”
Industry Leaders' Quotes
Mr Iida Yoshiyuki, Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Substrate Technologies Pte Ltd, said, “We are proud to launch Singapore’s first ever advanced packaging manufacturing plant for high-end FC-BGA substrates, a milestone that underscores our commitment to innovation, advanced packaging, and global competitiveness. We look forward to powering the next generation of semiconductor innovation while fostering excellence across our people and the wider industry.”
Mr Masafumi Ishiyama, President, HOYA LSI Division, said, “HOYA Electronics is delighted to be part of this Work-Study Diploma partnership with ITE, which underscores our strong commitment to developing our next generation of skilled professionals. By integrating structured academic learning with hands-on industry experience, we aim to equip students with relevant skills, mentorship, and clear career pathways that support their long-term success. This collaboration reflects our belief in continuous learning and the vital role it plays in building a future-ready workforce in Singapore while supporting our local youth in building meaningful, purposeful careers that they can be proud of.”
Mr Looi Choon Poh, General Manager Singapore Site, United Test and Assembly Center Ltd, said, “This collaboration with the Institute of Technical Education supports our commitment to building a strong, job-ready microelectronics talent pipeline for UTAC’s Singapore manufacturing operations. Through internships, work-study programmes, and hands-on industry exposure, we are strengthening workforce readiness while supporting continuous skills development aligned to evolving semiconductor manufacturing needs.”