Talent Will Decide India's Semiconductor Future. Here's How to Build It Faster.
By AX3 ·
What did industry leaders say at SEMICON India 2026?
Sarah Kemp, Vice President of International Government Affairs at Intel, announced a new semiconductor skilling programme. Its goal is to train 100,000 people by the end of 2026. She said India is well positioned to serve both its own market and the wider Global South, and that Intel wants Indians to create AI, not only consume it. Her summary: "it is all about people."
Dr Bora Baloglu, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development for Foundry and OSAT at Tata Electronics, made the supply chain case. He said:
- Government support is helping companies establish capabilities.
- Every new supply chain link in India makes it easier for the next company to follow.
- Major equipment makers are investing in local talent training.
(Source: ANI, September 17, 2026)
Why is talent the critical path for India's semiconductor industry?
India already has deep chip design expertise through global design centres. Manufacturing, packaging, and test are newer territory. Each new fab or OSAT facility needs engineers and technicians with hands-on experience in process, equipment, yield, quality, and assembly. Building that experience takes time, and project timelines rarely allow for it.
This is why workforce planning now belongs in the boardroom, not just HR.
Which semiconductor roles can be delivered remotely from India?
Not every semiconductor role needs to sit on the factory floor. Many high-value functions can be delivered by remote engineering teams in India:
- Design and verification: RTL design, functional verification, DFT, physical design
- Test engineering: test program development and ATE support for OSAT operations
- Yield and data analytics: process data engineering, SPC, and yield analysis
- Manufacturing software: MES, factory automation, and equipment integration
- Quality and reliability: documentation, failure analysis support, and compliance
A remote delivery model lets companies scale engineering capacity while on-site teams focus on operations that need physical presence.
How does supply chain expansion accelerate talent demand?
Semiconductors are an ecosystem business. A fab needs specialty gases, chemicals, substrates, precision parts, equipment servicing, and logistics close by. Each supplier that arrives brings its own workforce needs. As Baloglu noted, the ecosystem builds on itself, and talent demand grows with it.
What should semiconductor companies do now?
- Plan talent before capacity. Build workforce strategy into site selection, not after construction.
- Split the work smartly. Separate what must be on-site from what can be delivered remotely.
- Mobilise experienced talent regionally. Southeast Asian hubs such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore have mature OSAT and assembly experience that can speed up ramp-up.
- Manufacture talent, don't just hire it. Structured programmes can convert engineers from electronics, automotive, and precision manufacturing into semiconductor-ready professionals.
- Partner early. Talent partners work best when involved from the planning stage.
How AX3 helps semiconductor companies build teams in India
AX3 supports semiconductor and OSAT companies with three connected capabilities:
- Remote semiconductor delivery teams based in India for design, verification, test, data, and manufacturing software
- Talent manufacturing that builds job-ready engineers and technicians through structured, role-specific programmes
- Southeast Asia talent mobilisation to bring in experienced professionals from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore during critical ramp-up phases
The result is a workforce that scales with your project, not behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest challenge for India's semiconductor ecosystem?
Building enough experienced talent in manufacturing, packaging, and test, fast enough to match new capacity.
How many people is Intel skilling for semiconductors in India?
Intel announced at SEMICON India 2026 that it aims to skill 100,000 people by the end of 2026.
Can semiconductor engineering work be done remotely?
Yes. Design, verification, test program development, yield analytics, and manufacturing software can all be delivered by remote teams. Fab and cleanroom operations need on-site staff.
What is OSAT?
OSAT stands for Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test. These facilities package and test chips after fabrication.
Why is Southeast Asia important for India's semiconductor talent?
Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore have decades of assembly and test experience. Their professionals can help Indian facilities ramp up faster while training local teams.
The Bottom Line
India has the policy, the capital, and the market. The companies that win will be the ones that treat talent as infrastructure and plan for it from day one.