In an interview with TimesTech, Dr. Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, spoke on how apprenticeships and work-integrated learning can bridge India’s semiconductor talent gap. He highlighted the urgent need to modernize curricula, expand hands-on training, and scale industry-academia partnerships. Dr. Sharma also outlined how apprenticeship-driven models can create a sustainable, future-ready workforce and support India’s ambition to become a global semiconductor innovation and manufacturing hub.
Read the full interview:
TimesTech: India is projected to face a shortfall of nearly 2.5–3 lakh skilled semiconductor professionals by 2027. From your perspective, what are the biggest factors driving this talent shortage?
Nipun: India’s demand for semiconductors is rapidly increasing; however, outdated curricula and limited lab access mean that too few graduates are job-ready for roles in design, fabrication, or packaging.
Despite producing over 15 lakh engineers annually, only a small fraction is employable in the semiconductor industry. This is mainly due to an education system that is heavily focused on theory and not adequately aligned with industry needs. By 2027, a projected shortfall of 2.5-3 lakh is anticipated in this field. This gap is not about the quantity of graduates, but rather the quality of hands-on, industry-integrated training they receive. Three main factors contribute to this issue:
- Outdated curricula – Engineering programs remain predominantly theoretical and lack alignment with emerging areas such as VLSI, chip design, and fabrication processes.
- Infrastructure and faculty gaps – Access to advanced laboratories, electronic design automation (EDA) tools, and process equipment is limited. Additionally, faculty expertise in specialised semiconductor domains is still developing.
- Limited experiential learning – Structured apprenticeships and industry-integrated programs are only recently beginning to scale. As a result, most students graduate without sufficient hands-on experience in fabrication, packaging, or design workflows.
Unless academia, industry, and government collaborate to modernise curricula, co-create laboratories, and expand apprenticeship opportunities, India’s ambition to become a global semiconductor hub will be hindered by the talent gap.
TimesTech: Why do you believe apprenticeships and work-integrated degree programs are the most effective way to bridge this skill gap compared to traditional academic models?
Nipun: India is currently at a demographic inflection point. By 2030, it is projected to have the world’s largest workforce. However, the employability challenge is significant as only about 55% of Indian graduates are considered employable according to industry standards, and only 20-25% of engineering graduates are job-ready. In contrast, over 80% of apprentices transition to formal jobs after completing their training, highlighting the effectiveness of applied learning pathways.
At the same time, the demand for skilled professionals in advanced sectors, such as semiconductors, is expected to outpace supply by 2.5 to 3 lakh by 2027, highlighting the urgency of bridging the skill gap. Traditional academic models are often front-loaded, theory-heavy, and disconnected from workplace realities, and as a result, they struggle to keep pace with the fast-evolving industry requirements.
Evidence from both India and abroad shows that apprenticeships and work-integrated programs are more effective. Countries with strong apprenticeship systems, such as Germany and Switzerland, report youth unemployment rates below 8%, compared to India’s 15% youth unemployment in August 2025. The challenge is even sharper among urban women, where youth unemployment stands at 26%, compared to 16% for urban men and 14% in rural areas.
This shows that the mismatch between education and employability disproportionately affects the most vulnerable Apprenticeships provide contextual, on-the-job learning that blends theory with immediate application, which not only improves skill retention but also ensures adaptability to dynamic workplace needs. Work-integrated degree programs, as envisaged under the National Education Policy 2020, further strengthen this model by allowing stackable learning where workers can earn credits while working, build credentials over time, and move vertically across jobs and geographies. This flexibility directly addresses the needs of India’s diverse workforce.
Importantly, India is beginning to see momentum. Apprenticeship participation has increased fivefold over the last five years, with more than 7 lakh active apprentices in FY24. However, this is still just a fraction of the potential. Germany, with a much smaller workforce, engages 13 lakh apprentices annually.
In short, while traditional academic models remain important for building foundational knowledge, they are insufficient to meet India’s immediacy gap, the urgent demand for industry-ready talent. Apprenticeships and work-integrated programs are demand-driven,
scalable, and outcome-oriented, creating a triple win – students gain employability and financial independence, employers secure a trained and productive workforce, and the nation accelerates its journey toward becoming a globally competitive, skilled economy.
TimesTech: With India’s Semiconductor Product Design Leadership Forum projecting 1 million high-paying jobs, how can entry-level apprenticeships serve as the foundation for this workforce vision?
Nipun: Entry-level apprenticeships are not just complementary; they are foundational to India’s vision of creating 10 lakh high-paying semiconductor jobs by 2030. In a sector where hands-on, domain-specific skills are essential, apprenticeships offer structured, real-world training that transforms theoretical knowledge into industry-ready capabilities. The Chips to Startup (C2S) program exemplifies this approach, aiming to train 85,000 engineers in VLSI, chip design, embedded systems, and related subfields over five years. As of mid-2025, over 45,000 students across approximately 100 institutions have enrolled in semiconductor design skill courses, gaining special access to EDA tools. While such initiatives help build the talent pipeline, apprenticeships serve as the critical bridge that converts this learning into productive, work-ready outcomes. Financial incentives further reinforce this pathway. Freshers in the semiconductor sector can command salaries in the range of ₹6–12 lakh per annum, which is substantially higher than the typical entry-level roles in IT (around ₹3–4 lakh). Certain positions, such as project management or product engineering, can even pay between ₹17–19 lakh. This makes apprenticeship pathways highly attractive for students while enabling employers to access high-quality early-career talent. A key element of this ecosystem is the development of facilities and labs, including academic institutions equipped with EDA tools and opportunities for student-led prototype chip fabrication.
Apprenticeships integrate these resources, offering immersive, hands-on training in design, validation, testing, and yield analysis, rather than confining students to simulations or theoretical exercises. This approach accelerates learning, reduces the time it takes to become productive, and fosters essential soft skills, such as teamwork, precision, and quality control, crucial for semiconductor workflows. To achieve the target of 10 lakh high-paying roles, apprenticeships act as a multiplier. With around 17,000 engineers trained annually under the C2S program, apprenticeships can absorb a significant portion of these graduates into entry-level positions across fabs, assembly and test facilities, R&D centres, and design startups, many supported by initiatives like Semicon India, DLI, and PLI schemes. By providing a structured mechanism to supply quality talent at scale, apprenticeships are not merely supportive; they are indispensable to India’s semiconductor workforce vision.
TimesTech: What kind of partnerships between industry and academia are needed to ensure students are job-ready for semiconductor and electronics roles from day one?
Nipun:
- Curriculum Co-Development and Industry-Driven Syllabi – Academic institutions should collaborate with industries to develop curricula that reflect current industry standards and future technological trends. This approach ensures that students acquire relevant skills and knowledge. For instance, the collaboration between the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Synopsys, and Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) has led to the creation of the India Semiconductor Workforce Development Program (ISWDP), which integrates academic coursework with hands-on training in microelectronics labs.
- Industry-Sponsored Research and Internship Programs – Establishing research-driven internship programs allows students to work on real-world projects, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. An example includes a short six-month research-based internship program that provides exposure to production, process control, and innovation in the semiconductor sector.
- Establishment of State-of-the-Art Laboratories and Innovation centres – Creating advanced laboratories and innovation centres within academic institutions facilitates hands-on training and fosters innovation. For example, an advanced lab dedicated to embedded systems and hardware-software integration can provide students with practical skills and encourage industry-relevant research.
- Joint Workforce Development Programs – Collaborative programs between educational institutions and industry leaders can accelerate the development of a skilled workforce. Such collaborations can enhance semiconductor workforce programs in India, aligning with the country’s expanding semiconductor manufacturing capacity through the India Semiconductor Mission.
- Continuous Faculty Development and Industry Exposure – Regular training and exposure to industry practices for faculty members ensure that they impart up-to-date knowledge to students. Programs like the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association’s (IESA) Industry-Academia Program foster collaboration between the electronics and semiconductor industry and academic institutions in India, addressing common challenges and enhancing the quality of education.
- Global Collaborations and Knowledge Exchange – Engaging in international partnerships allows for the exchange of knowledge, resources, and best practices. These collaborations strengthen global semiconductor initiatives, combining expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced materials, and workforce training to accelerate innovation and expand the pipeline of highly skilled engineers.
TimesTech: How can apprenticeship-driven learning models help build a sustainable, future-proof talent pipeline that keeps pace with evolving semiconductor technologies and global innovation cycles?
Nipun: Apprenticeship-driven learning models are essential for developing a resilient and adaptable semiconductor workforce in India. These models provide a dynamic approach to skill development, ensuring that talent remains aligned with the industry’s rapid technological advancements. The semiconductor sector is characterised by fast-paced technological changes, including developments in AI-driven chips, 3nm process nodes, and advanced packaging techniques. India is facing a significant skills gap in the semiconductor industry, with an estimated shortage of 3.2 – 3.5 lakh professionals in specialised areas such as VLSI design and chip fabrication.
Apprenticeship programs offer hands-on experience in real-world settings, enabling learners to acquire practical skills that directly apply to current industry needs. Partnerships with industry leaders can help bridge this gap by offering targeted training that aligns with specific job roles. This alignment ensures that graduates possess the exact skills demanded by employers, enhancing their employability and reducing skill mismatches. Additionally, apprenticeship models contribute to national objectives, such as the India Semiconductor Mission, by developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting domestic semiconductor manufacturing and design. These programs facilitate global integration by preparing professionals to meet international standards and collaborate across borders, thereby positioning India as a competitive player in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
TimesTech: Looking ahead, what is your roadmap for scaling apprenticeship and work-integrated degree programs nationwide, and how can they support India’s ambition of becoming a global semiconductor hub?
Nipun: As of 2025, India’s electronics sector is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating the creation of 1.2 crore jobs by 2027. This includes 30 lakh direct and 90 lakh indirect employment opportunities. Direct roles are expected to comprise nearly 10 lakh engineers, 20 lakh ITI-certified professionals, and 2 lakh specialists in high-demand fields such as AI/ML and data science. To meet this increasing demand, the apprenticeship ecosystem is expanding at a robust CAGR of 55%. It is projected that the number of apprentices will reach 10 lakh by 2027, with the potential to double to 20 lakh to address both current and future workforce needs. In the 2023–24 period alone, electronics apprenticeships accounted for 91000 positions, representing 58% of all apprentices across the electronics, renewables, and repair and maintenance sectors. India’s roadmap for scaling apprenticeship and work-integrated degree programs has two main components. First, nationwide awareness campaigns will promote the value of ‘earning while learning’, especially for high-end semiconductor roles. Success stories and knowledge about the increasing stipends from ₹6,800 to ₹12,300 can help attract youth from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Second, there needs to be stronger collaboration between academia and industry, along with AEDP, that encompasses over 140 qualification packs for VLSI and embedded roles. These initiatives will standardise skills and align curricula with global benchmarks. Supported by initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore), Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) schemes, and C2S training programs, this apprenticeship-driven model aims to cultivate a future-ready, adaptable semiconductor workforce. This effort will help bridge the skill gap and position India as a global hub for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing.
