introduction
The Dutch microchip sector is of strategic importance for the national economy and technological sovereignty, and plays an important role in various societal transitions. To maintain and strengthen this position in a competitive international field, a substantial and continuous growth of qualified talent is needed. The National Reinforcement Plan for Microchip Talent (hereinafter: the Reinforcement Plan) addresses this urgency with an ambitious programme aimed at structurally scaling up talent for the sector up to and including 2030. An initial government funding of €450 million has been made available for this purpose. Of this, €20.5 million will go to the University of Twente.
The plan
Programme structure and work packages
Programme Structure and work packages
ChipTech Expertfinder
First Progress Meeting - 4 March 2026
Impression of the First Progress Meeting ChipTech Talent @UT (4 March 2026)
ChipTech Talent Projects (vs 4 March 2026)
Peer review ChipTech Talent 23 June 2026
On 23 June, the peer review of the Twente Microchip Talent Reinforcement Plan (Beethoven) took place.
The six reviewers were positive about the rapid progress made during the programme’s initial phase and particularly praised the strong collaboration between education, industry, and government. Initiatives such as the Semicon Learning Centers (SLCs), the involvement of both large companies and SMEs, and the successful attraction of talent through initiatives such as OhChips were highlighted as unique within the Netherlands.
Click here for the Peer Review feedback
Click here for the Progress Report of the Twente Microchip Talent Reinforcement Plan (Sept 2025 – May 2026)
Life long learning
The ChipTech Talent programme addresses the growing shortage of qualified professionals in the semiconductor sector across the full value chain: chip design, manufacturing (front-end and back-end), assembly, process to end applications, and the broader ecosystem of equipment building and related supply.
The Lifelong Learning (LLL) line focuses on training, upskilling, and reskilling professionals, and on fostering co-learning between industry and educational institutions. The first programme period runs 2026-2027.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS | CHIPTECH TALENT - LIFELONG LEARNING
This call supports demand-driven LLL solutions developed and piloted starting in 2026 and into early 2027. Two parallel tracks are open. Proposals may align with either track, depending on their starting point.
Submissions will be reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
We welcome a range of ideas and approaches, depending on your experience, network, and your plans.
Contact the team
Team & contact
Get to know the team
- 7 Jul, 2026Lancering Semicon Learning Center
Op donderdag 24 september lanceren we het Semicon Learning Center: een samenwerking die in deze vorm uniek is in Nederland. En we willen jou daar graag bij hebben.
Het Semicon Learning Center is een opleidingsplek waar onderwijs, onderzoek en bedrijfsleven samen komen om nieuw passend talent op te leiden voor de microchipsector. Denk hierbij aan ROC van Twente, Saxion, Universiteit Twente, SMEOT, STODT, Process your Future, REMO en Ondernemend Twente, samen met de bedrijven uit de ASML-toeleverketen. Elke locatie heeft zijn eigen plek in de keten. Samen vormen ze één geheel.
Zes locaties tegelijk bezoeken lukt natuurlijk niet. Daarom kiezen we één plek voor de officiële lancering: REMO in Rijssen. Daar trappen we af, en krijg je een rondleiding door het Semicon Learning Center van REMO.
Het programma:
15.00 uur – Inloop
15.30 uur – Officiële lancering
16.15 uur – Rondleiding door het Semicon Learning Center bij REMO
16.30 uur – NetwerkborrelLocatie: REMO, Morsweg 4 Rijssen.
Meld je aan vóór 10 september via de link.
- 29 Jun, 2026Call for Proposals: Lifelong Learning (LLL) – ChipTech Talent
Do you have an idea for education for professionals in the semiconductor and/or tech domain?
We invite UT colleagues to submit proposals for demand-driven Lifelong Learning (LLL) initiatives as part of the ChipTech Talent programme. The call consists of two tracks, proposals can be submitted in parallel for both tracks.
In the projects, you collaborate with industry partners to explore and address learning needs in the field and develop solutions accordingly. In track 1, the focus is on exploring and validating demand. In track 2, the focus is on developing, for example, short courses, masterclasses, or flexible formats, co-creating with industry partners, and contributing to the reskilling of professionals.
Funding available:
Track 1: up to approx. €15K per project.
Track 2: up to approx. €80K per project.Deadlines for submitting: rolling deadlines:
31 July, 31 August, 30 September, 31 October 2026.
Submissions will be reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Decisions will be communicated within a month after the month the proposal is submitted. - 23 Apr, 2026ChipFest! Networkevent on June 4
- 23 Apr, 2026Symposium 'Quantum Matter for ChipTech'
- 19 Mar, 2026Call for proposals ChipTech Twente programme ('Beethoven')
This call is intended for all colleagues working in and on education within the UT, regardless role or position!
- 6 Mar, 2026Help build the new ChipTech Expert Finder