Abstract :
For the UK industry to double in size within 5 years, in line with global trends, the number of engineers employed in semiconductor manufacturing will need to increase by about 40%. The industry will therefore require around 250-300 new engineers every year until 2002 and beyond just to support the enormous investments already made by existing companies. Further inward investment could considerably increase the demand. The continuing expansion of the semiconductor industry has now reached the point where the education of engineers must receive increased attention by the Higher Education sector in the UK. Similar concerns are frequently expressed in other advanced countries