Untapped talent: Women in semiconductors

In brief

• Accenture and GSA partner on research to explore leading practices, identify areas of improvement and provide actions to boost gender diversity.

• The research identifies leading practices for recruitment, retention and career advancement and points to the underrepresentation of women.

• The Gender Parity study measured the male and female representation in board and executive positions in public and private semiconductor companies.

Accenture and the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) have conducted the 6th annual study on women in the semiconductor industry. This research aims to explore leading practices, identify areas for improvement and provide actionable steps to ensure advancement opportunities. The collaboration highlights the underrepresentation of women and offers strategies to enhance inclusive processes and talent pipeline sourcing in the industry.

The state of women in semiconductors

The semiconductor industry is experiencing unprecedented recognition due to global events such as the chip shortage, government initiatives like the CHIPS Act and the critical role of semiconductor devices in modern life. Leading companies are making substantial domestic investments in semiconductor manufacturing, with SEMI projecting a 20% increase in worldwide 300mm fab equipment investment to US$116.5 billion in 2025, followed by a 12% increase to US$130.5 billion in 2026, culminating in a record high in 2027.

This surge in investment and the corresponding need to hire thousands of engineers and technical workers amid a labor shortage presents a significant opportunity to tap all available talent. Specifically, it is a chance for recruiters to expand their talent sourcing pipeline to include more women, unlocking the value that women can bring to the industry.

Gaining insight into the semiconductor industry

The GSA and Accenture study, “GSA: Women in Semiconductor Industry 2024,” was designed to educate audiences on the current status and best practices. The annual survey, combined with interviews of industry executives and Accenture research, provides a comprehensive view of gender representation across all functions and ranks.

Key findings from the 2024 GSA Women in Semiconductor

Exploring the survey

The survey focused on three key areas, offering supporting statistics and recommendations for changes in:

1. Recruitment of Women:

• Networking and recruiting events are the top methods for increasing talent and expanding the talent pipeline.

2. Retaining Women in the Semiconductor Industry:

• Between 40-50% of women spend five or more years before advancing to managerial roles.
  
  
• Women attrition rates have decreased according to 44% of respondents.

3. Advancing the Careers of Women:

• Recognition and mentorship programs are prevalent, but sponsorship and allyship initiatives lag.

The path forward

The need for innovation-focused talent in the semiconductor industry is as urgent as the need for chips. Women represent a significant opportunity to provide this talent. However, building a robust pipeline for recruitment remains the biggest challenge. If companies can effectively recruit, retain and advance more women and create a more inclusive culture for all will increase innovation within the organization.

The time has come for the industry to make significant progress and build a new-age model of equal opportunity for future generations. New technologies like generative AI will transform ways of working, requiring leaders to set and guide a vision for reinventing work, reshaping the workforce and preparing workers for an AI-driven world. Success in this transformation requires putting people at the heart of change, which means leaders with diverse skills and perspectives. This represents not only an opportunity for companies to unlock the value women can bring but also helps women secure more jobs and rise through the ranks in ways that were not possible in the past.