b'Partner News Autumn 2023 15Academicthese issues. The project aims to raise public awareness on the importance of semiconductor technology in the UK. The plan includes the creation of free, accessible online courses about semiconductors, and the improvement of current engagement activities to integrate semiconductor experience. There are also plans for the creation of a remote lab for semiconductor device testing aimed at students in year 10 and up, and for new accessible training courses for UK STEM graduates that provide more in-depth knowledge to address the knowledge gap that has come about through lack of resources.Professor Jo Shien Ng, Department ofElectronic and Electrical Engineering said: This project offers a wonderful opportunity for the two engineering departments to work with two highly engaged SMEs to help raise awareness of semiconductor technology and the career options in the UK. The team is excited to be able to turn our plans for accessible contents into reality. We hope to share with the UK public the exciting semiconductor industry and technology in the UK that most people dont think about ASISST project team next to industrial standard teaching clean room at the University of Sheffield (left to right: Dr Raja Toqeer, and raise the profile of the industry.Prof Jo Shien Ng, Dr Ian Farrer, Dr Gavin Williams)Improving the UK talent poolThe project will be led by Prof Jo Shien Ng from the University of Sheffields Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (EEE), supported by Dr Gavin Williams (EEE), Dr Ian Farrer (EEE) and DrI am thrilled that Semiconductor Skills Raja Toqeer (Multidisciplinary Engineeringfunding will enable the EEE and MEE Education at the University of Sheffield). Thedepartments at TUoS to raise public industrial partners, Bay Photonics and Phluxawareness about this specialised sector, Technology Ltd, are already highly engagedestablish connections with schools and in outreach activities to improve the UKcolleges, and address the skills shortages. talent pool for the semiconductor industry.The Semiconductor Skills project will They aim to considerably expand the ASISSTempower aspiring professionals with practical teams range of expertise and insightssemiconductor expertise and accessible within the semiconductor industry. training, bridging the skills gap and fostering a thriving industry to promote the aim of the Dr Raja Toqeer, Multidisciplinary Engineeringnational semiconductor strategy.Education (based in the Diamond, the home of practical engineering education at theAs well as the work being done to address University of Sheffield), commented: Thethe semiconductor skills shortage being UKs global presence in the semiconductoressential for the UKs progress and technology industry faces hindrances duesocioeconomic growth, there are countless to a shortage of skilled professionals. Everybenefits for equipping UK students stage of the semiconductor sector, fromwith the skills they need for a career in research and development to innovation,semiconductors. By raising awareness of the commercialisation, and industrial scaling,technology at an earlier age and amongst relies heavily on specialised technicalteachers and parents/guardians, there will skills. There is a clear demand forbe new opportunities provided for well-paid talented individuals to fulfil the industrysjobs, entrepreneurship, and ground-breaking Dr Ian Farrer at work in the National Epitaxy Facility at the requirements. University of Sheffield research.'