Even with lakhs of engineers passing out each year, quality talent is hard to come across for most knowledge industries including the semiconductor space today. To crack this crucial problem organisations in this sector are taking several intiatives to nuture and develop their workforce from an early stage. And as for NXP Semiconductors, a global semiconductor company, its all about fostering fresh talent.
As a part of their HR strategy NXP in India has been sponsoring selected final year engineering students since last two years. After selecting students who have had a good academic record and the ability to learn new skills, NXP offers scholarships to thirty students each year. Following this, after graduation the students are offered an internship at NXP for a period of one year in the area of chip design.
“Those who have performed exceptionally well in their academics and as well as during their internship will be offered an engineering job at NXP,” says Shiva Sundar, Country Manager, HR, NXP Semiconductors.
At present, NXP has the programme with BITS-Pilani, IIT-Delhi and MAHE; and has sponsored sixty students in the electronics, electrical, computer science and power electronics streams till date. Speaking on the intiative Mr Sundar says, “Skills required in this industry are very niche, and with many companies coming in, there is a challenge to find the right talent. This is why we started this programme, where we can mould and train them better.”Mr Sundar adds that with this programme the interns can get good domain knowledge, hands-on experience with real-time projects and project management skills.
The sponsorship programme includes a grant of Rs two lakh per student towards improving lab set-up, library books procurement and other academic development initiatives in the respective engineering college. Along with domain experience, one can look forward to a high growth in a career on the tech front. While most believe that the management ladder is the only way to success, at NXP one can achieve growth even by being on the technology side to reach higher positions.
“Since we are a technology company we provide avenues for growth in the technology side too. So a fellow NXP would in par with the VP of the company,” says Mr Sundar, who adds that making employees successful will make the business successful.
NXP’s R&D division based in Bangalore is involved in undertaking high-end work in the areas of chip design. The company is working on leading edge technologies in 90 nm and 65 nm processes in the areas of chip design and embedded software and systems. NXP India is working towards offering semiconductor devices and system solutions that add value to Indian OEMs and design companies.