FPT Contributes to Promoting Vietnam – Japan Cooperation in Semiconductor Workforce Training
Recently, as part of the “Japan – Vietnam Joint Initiative in the New Era, Phase 1,” signed between the governments of both countries, a Kyushu delegation from Japan, consisting of 20 representatives from businesses, universities, and technical colleges, visited and worked with FPT in Hanoi.
The visit aimed to discuss strategies for cooperation in training high-quality human resources for the semiconductor industry, strengthening the workforce supply chain between the two nations, and meeting the growing global demand for semiconductor technology development. The discussions resulted in promising initial collaboration prospects.
Japanese Experts Seek to Promote Semiconductor Workforce Training Cooperation with FPT
The exchange program also featured the presence of Mr. Matsumoto Izumi – First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Tran Dang Hoa – Chairman of FPT Semiconductor, FPT Corporation, along with representatives and experts from FPT’s semiconductor sector.
Japan is currently one of the leading countries in the semiconductor industry, with an increasing demand for high-quality human resources. Meanwhile, Vietnam is gradually affirming its position as a potential training and workforce supply center for this field.
Representatives from the Japanese Embassy and semiconductor experts from Kyushu, Japan.
Mr. Koga Yukihara, Secretary-General of the Kyushu Semiconductor & Digital Innovation Association (SIIQ) and head of the Kyushu delegation, shared: “The rapid growth of the semiconductor industry in Japan has led to a severe workforce shortage, particularly in microchip design engineers and high-tech specialists. Kyushu, once the semiconductor capital and ‘Silicon Island’ of Japan, is continuously enhancing strategies to attract and train high-quality human resources, not only domestically but also by expanding cooperation with international partners. Vietnam, with its young, tech-savvy workforce and increasingly developed training infrastructure, is one of the key destinations we are looking at to supplement the semiconductor workforce for Kyushu in particular and Japan as a whole”.
The visit of the Kyushu delegation played a crucial role in understanding the current state of semiconductor workforce training in Vietnam, particularly training programs at universities and enterprises. At the same time, it provided an opportunity for Japan to share its recruitment needs, thereby creating a bridge between Japanese businesses and Vietnam’s training institutions and workforce.
During the meeting, the Kyushu delegation expressed a strong interest in FPT’s semiconductor training programs and the capabilities of Vietnamese engineers. To achieve the goal of training 50,000 semiconductor professionals by 2030 to meet the urgent development demands of the semiconductor industry, FPT has implemented various training programs to supply high-quality talent for this sector. Notably, FPT offers a specialized undergraduate program in Semiconductor Chip Design at its university system, an international associate degree program in Semiconductor Technology in partnership with BTEC, and the FPT Jetking International Certification Program in Microchip Design. The training model not only focuses on theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes hands-on practice through a “real-world learning” approach, where students participate directly in practical projects with businesses. Leveraging FPT’s ecosystem, students also gain access to research centers, modern laboratories, and “Make in Vietnam” chip projects, enabling them to familiarize themselves with advanced technologies and seamlessly integrate into the semiconductor workforce supply chain upon graduation.
Mr. Tran Dang Hoa, FPT Corporation, shares at the event
Mr. Tran Dang Hoa from FPT Corporation shared: “We highly appreciate the interest from the Kyushu delegation and strongly believe in the potential for cooperation between both parties. Japan is one of FPT’s key markets, and we are committed to fostering strong partnerships in the technology sector, especially in semiconductors. With Vietnam’s strategic location, abundant human resources, and a well-developed technology ecosystem, the country is entering a booming phase in the semiconductor industry. We believe that the connection between FPT and Kyushu will open many development opportunities, not only in workforce training but also in research, production, and semiconductor application. We hope to quickly implement concrete cooperation programs in the near future to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Vietnam-Japan semiconductor industry”.
The demand for semiconductor workforce has changed significantly in recent years. With rapid technological advancements, many processes have been automated, raising the bar for workforce requirements. Instead of a large workforce, the semiconductor industry now requires highly specialized experts and senior engineers. Even in the business sector, sales teams must act as experts to provide precise and effective consultancy for clients. Therefore, training high-quality human resources is no longer just a trend but has become a decisive factor for the sustainable development of the semiconductor industry.
Additionally, the Kyushu delegation showed a keen interest in building a diverse semiconductor workforce from multiple countries and ensuring gender equality in line with international standards. This is a crucial trend in creating an inclusive working environment that maximizes the potential of engineers in the high-tech industry.
FPT Corporation has been laying the foundation for Vietnam’s semiconductor industry for over a decade. In March 2022, the establishment of FPT’s semiconductor subsidiary marked a significant milestone in its strategy to develop Vietnam’s microchip industry. Some notable achievements in this field include the launch of “Make in Vietnam” chip products—Power Management IC (PMIC) and IoT microchips for medical applications, a team of approximately 200 microchip design engineers, and collaborations with over 30 clients from Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
This meeting marked an important step in the cooperation between FPT and Kyushu in particular, and between Vietnam and Japan in general, in the semiconductor technology sector. With a commitment to investing in training and workforce development, both parties aim to establish a sustainable collaboration model, enhancing the quality of semiconductor human resources and making a positive contribution to the global semiconductor industry.
