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Apple Vice President Johny Srouji says the company is launching semiconductor design training for students to combat labor shortages
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 08:09 PM
Apple is initiating a practical education program in semiconductor design for university students in Japan to address the global shortage of chip engineering talent.
Context
On March 17, 2026, Apple Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies Johny Srouji announced the launch of a new semiconductor design training initiative for students. Speaking on the company's efforts to mitigate global talent shortages, Srouji stated that "personnel are insufficient" in the current chip-making landscape, necessitating proactive involvement in education to secure the next generation of engineers. This move expands on Apple's existing New Silicon Initiative (NSI), which already partners with institutions like Georgia Tech to provide fellowships and IC design courses.
This labor-focused strategy comes amid a period of significant executive turnover at Apple, including reports of potential departures within its hardware and AI leadership. As the company continues its multi-billion euro expansion of its European Silicon Design Centre in Munich and aims to produce over 19 billion chips in the U.S. by 2025, securing a steady pipeline of specialized labor is critical. By embedding its proprietary tools and methodologies into university curricula, Apple aims to stabilize its highly complex, in-house supply chain against intensifying competition for AI and hardware talent.
Sources (10)
Imec honors Apple’s Johny Srouji with the 2025 Innovation Award | imecApple accelerates investment in Germany to expand Silicon Design Centre - Apple (UK)Apple to design power chips in-house as early as 2018: Sources - Nikkei AsiaApple rocked by executive departures, with chip chief at risk of leaving next | FortuneApple's Head of Chips Could Be Leaving The Company, Report SaysA three-nation chip pact takes shape: Japan’s capital, Taiwan’s know-how, India’s talentApple to set up silicon design centre in Germany, invest 1 bln euros | ReutersApple explores using generative AI to design its chips — executive says 'it can be a huge productivity boost' | Tom's Hardware
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