ECS Academy

Project Info

In today’s life and economy, microelectronics are ubiquitous, powering the equipment for virtually all daily activities. Operations such as aviation, the automotive industry, health care, communication and even leisure would not be possible without a microelectronics component (commonly referred to as microchip or chip).

The EU’s microelectronics ecosystem is undermined by a shortage of professionals, skill mismatches and the gap between the worlds of education and work. Recent geopolitical upheavals and chip shortages highlight the importance of technological resilience in microelectronics. When it comes to microelectronics, Europe can no longer afford to depend on other countries.

Aware of those challenges, the EU Commission launched a series of initiatives, including the Microelectronics Pact for Skills (2020) and the EU Chips Act (2023) to revamp Europe’s microelectronics ecosystem. The Pact for Skills has yet to deliver on expectations and innovative approaches to education and training in microelectronics are required.

ECS (European Chips Skills) Academy is an initiator of a large-scale and durable endeavour that will foster innovation and resilience in the microelectronics sector. It will bridge the gap between education, training and industry to tackle Europe’s skill and talent shortages. ECS Academy will:

• Implement and operationalise the Pact for Skills;
• Establish the first-of-a-kind decentralised academy for microelectronics, linking industry, research, Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, which are currently operating in isolation;
• Develop an innovative curriculum and training to provide reactive and proactive responses to the skills needs of the sector.

ECS Academy is a robust alliance, with 18 partners and 30+ organisations endorsing the project, covering the whole of the EU Educational Area. The consortium represents the value chain of microelectronics and the full spectrum of education and training, and will reach 984,706 direct contacts in valorisation activities.