TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In recent years, Taiwan's tech industry has faced challenges in attracting suitable candidates. Experts attribute the decline in fresh talent to low birth rates, the constantly evolving education system, and the widespread establishment of universities.
National Taiwan University's Department of Electrical Engineering Professor Chang Yao-Wen explained, "I believe that many of our education policies may not be suitable and could potentially undermine our ability to foster talent."
"Moreover, the extensive establishment of universities will undoubtedly dilute our available educational resources."
Despite the allure of higher pay, students who aspire to join the tech industry often need help preparing due to struggling universities that lower the required courses to attract high school graduates.
University professors highlight that the initial intention of reducing required courses to allow for diverse learning has, unfortunately, yielded unintended consequences. Teachers now need help in designing comprehensive lesson plans within shortened class hours, leading many students to rely on cram schools to supplement their studies.
According to surveys conducted by local job banks, the shortage of new talent in the tech industry cannot be attributed to a lack of enthusiasm. In fact, 58.8% of respondents expressed a strong desire to enter the field, while 14% have already succeeded. Approximately 73% of office workers aspire to pursue careers in the tech industry.
The Institute for Information Industry (III) reports that Taiwan's semiconductor businesses generate around NT＄4.3 trillion in annual output.
With job vacancies in the field increasing from 60,000 positions at the beginning of the year to nearly 70,000 presently, Taiwan's education policies need to undergo corresponding changes to meet the demand and cultivate better-prepped talent for the industry.
