5,000 jobs in offing as Himachal govt to focus on semiconductor manufacturing industry
semiconductor manufacturing industry
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Shimla: In a major development towards creating new job opportunities, the Himachal Pradesh government has initiated deliberations to establish semiconductor manufacturing industries in the state. This initiative, aiming to generate more than 5,000 jobs, underscores the government’s intent to harness the increasing interest of local youth in the information technology (IT) sector. With the industry’s promising potential, Himachal Pradesh is on track to become a significant player in India’s semiconductor landscape.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently reviewed proposals from several semiconductor companies and has shown keen interest in their potential for the state. Responding promptly, Sukhu has instructed the relevant departments, including industry and IT, to develop a comprehensive roadmap to bring the semiconductor vision to life. The first phase of the project is expected to generate direct employment for over 1,000 people and create indirect opportunities for 5,000 more, propelling Himachal’s youth into a promising job market.
Key industry players have shown strong interest, with several companies having agreed to establish production facilities in Himachal. The anticipated manufacturing units will produce a range of semiconductor components, including computing chips, microcontrollers, panel driver ICs and display integrated circuits. These products are essential components for smart devices such as smartphones, laptops, televisions, and computers, and the state’s move into semiconductor manufacturing is seen as a forward-thinking approach to meet the needs of the technology-driven future.
In line with these developments, the government has also introduced advanced educational programmes to upskill local talent and prepare them for careers in emerging technologies. Government Hydro Engineering College in Bandla recently added courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science under its computer science and engineering programme. Meanwhile, Government Polytechnic Institute in Rohru has started a computer engineering course, and Government Polytechnic Institute in Chamba has introduced a diploma program in mechatronics.
To further strengthen the workforce, 38 students from Government Polytechnic Institutes and 20 instructors from government engineering and polytechnic colleges have received specialised training in robotics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi. Additionally, 20 faculty members from government engineering colleges were given advanced training on the semiconductor ecosystem at IIT-Ropar and IIT-Delhi. In another initiative, 10 faculty members and six students of technology and engineering received training in machine learning at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Una.
