ASML launches science project in China to scout lithography talent

European semiconductor equipment maker ASML has launched a project in China to identify and nurture engineering talent, despite ongoing US restrictions on advanced chipmaking technology.

This initiative includes a science competition designed to enhance knowledge of lithography, a key process in chip production, as noted on ASML’s official WeChat account.

The online competition, taking place from late June to early July, consists of 20 questions and is open to semiconductor professionals and science enthusiasts in China.

The top 16 participants will have the opportunity for job interviews at ASML.

An additional 75 high scorers will be included in the company’s talent pool.

This effort reflects ASML’s continued focus on China, which faces ongoing limits on purchasing advanced lithography machines.

In 2024, China became ASML’s top market with 36.1% of total sales, though a potential revenue dip is expected in 2025 due to backlog adjustments.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Semiconductor talent wars reflect industry’s million-worker shortage

ASML’s talent competition in China is part of a global pattern of intensified recruitment efforts across the semiconductor industry, which faces a severe talent crisis.

The industry needs over 1 million skilled workers by 2030 according to industry research, with job postings for technical roles increasing by more than 75% from 2018 to 20221.

Specific regional shortfalls are equally concerning, with projected talent gaps of over 100,000 engineers in the US and Europe, and 200,000 in the Asia-Pacific region1.

This talent competition comes as semiconductor revenue is expected to grow to $1.38 trillion by 2029 (at a 12.2% CAGR from $573.44 billion in 2022), creating intense pressure to secure qualified personnel2.

ASML’s approach of using competitions to identify talent reflects industry-wide shifts toward innovative recruitment strategies, as traditional hiring channels prove insufficient to meet the growing demand.

For China specifically, the talent hunt is particularly crucial as the country pushes for semiconductor self-sufficiency while facing restrictions on acquiring foreign technology.