TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's semiconductor industry faces a critical paradox: while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC, 台積電) commands a remarkable 70.2% share of the global semiconductor foundry 2.0 market according to TrendForce's latest research, the island's chip sector confronts an acute talent crisis that threatens its dominance. Industry data reveals a staggering monthly shortfall of 34,000 workers, with seven out of every 10 positions remaining unfilled across crucial operational areas.
This workforce gap has emerged as Taiwan's most pressing economic challenge, particularly as international technology giants continue flocking to the island for its semiconductor expertise. Wu Jau-yang (巫朝陽), an assistant professor at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology's Industry-Academia Innovation College (NTUST, 台科大產學創新學院), points to Taiwan's historical advantage in cultivating high-quality technical talent, yet acknowledges that current shortages span critical areas including operations, production quality control, and research and development.
The talent drought has caught the attention of major global players who have invested heavily in Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem. Companies like NVIDIA (輝達) and Qualcomm (高通) continue expanding their Taiwan operations, drawn by the island's pivotal role in global chip production, even as local firms struggle to staff their facilities adequately.
Weber Chung (鍾文雄), a human resources executive specializing in semiconductor recruitment, identifies manufacturing, quality control, and environmental sanitation roles as particularly difficult to fill. The challenge extends beyond entry-level positions, with research and development roles in midstream and upstream sectors also experiencing significant gaps that could impact Taiwan's innovation pipeline.
Despite the industry-wide challenges, Taiwan's universities continue to produce optimistic graduates ready to enter the semiconductor field. Yang Hsiu-ju (楊琇茹) and Chen Chueh-yu (陳玨伃), graduate students in NTUST's Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering program, represent the next generation of semiconductor professionals. Yang is specifically pursuing advanced education to re-enter the industry with enhanced qualifications.
Taiwan's semiconductor sector has built its reputation on competitive compensation packages. Still, industry experts argue that improving work environments and ensuring educational institutions align their curricula with evolving industry demands will prove essential for long-term success. As global competition intensifies and technological demands become increasingly sophisticated, Taiwan's ability to maintain its semiconductor leadership depends critically on resolving its talent shortage while preserving the innovation culture that established its market dominance.
