The government plans to set up a high-tech cram school next year in the hope of alleviating a manpower shortage in the sector.
The school, to be run by government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute (
"By offering the training programs, we are aiming to increase the number of the high-tech employees and upgrade the quality of current high-tech employees," an aide to institute spokesman Lin Yu-huan said yesterday.
The aide, surnamed Hsu asked not to be identified.
She said that the programs, funded by the Hsinchu-based Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, hope to churn out 50,000 prodigies annually.
"Despite unemployment as high as 5.3 percent, Taiwan is facing a severe manpower gap between high-tech professionals and general workers," she said.
According to government statistics, by 2005, the government and local industries will require around 17,000 high-tech professionals as part of the government's national development plan. Currently only 800 technology students graduate from Taiwanese post-graduate schools annually.
To make up the shortage, the institute will provide a variety of short-term and long-term programs -- ranging from several weeks to six months -- starting next year. Courses will focus on basic professional skills in high-tech related fields, such as nanotechnology and wireless broadband.
Students who complete the courses will receive a certificate, she said.
However, Eric Chen (
Chen noted that around 70 percent of ALi's workers are masters-degree holders or experienced engineers.
He said that a program covering practical knowledge, including IC design, semiconductor programs and IC languages would benefit the industry.
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