New Twente Training Centre Aims to Solve Europe's Microchip Talent Shortage
Enschede, Friday 24 April 2026
Saxion University and PhotonDelta are establishing a new Twente training centre this April to combat Europe’s microchip talent bottleneck, securing vital human capital for next-generation hardware development.
Consolidating Regional Expertise
The newly proposed ‘Learning Center Twente for Photonics, Quantum and Chip Technology’ represents a concerted effort to consolidate regional expertise into a unified educational powerhouse [1][2]. According to Brigitte Tel, a project manager at PhotonDelta, the initiative aims to physically unite laboratories dedicated to quantum mechanics, integrated photonics, and activities associated with the national Project Beethoven [1]. This development, heavily discussed throughout April 2026, builds upon the foundation laid in 2022 when regional enterprises formed the ChipTech Twente consortium to fortify the local chip design and production ecosystem [1]. With Saxion University receiving dedicated funding to establish a new Educational Lab for photonics, the region is positioning itself as a vital node in Europe’s semiconductor supply chain [1].
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Fabrication
A key strength of the Twente ecosystem lies in its stratified approach to education and research, seamlessly connecting vocational training with advanced academic inquiry [1][2]. David Marpaung, a professor heading the Nonlinear Nanophotonics research group at the University of Twente (UT), notes that while UT focuses heavily on fundamental scientific innovation, Saxion University provides a highly tangible and practical perspective [1][2]. This practical approach is critical for the “packaging” phase of semiconductor manufacturing—making components smaller, more robust, and ready for industrial application [1]. Furthermore, the involvement of vocational institutions like ROC van Twente ensures a comprehensive pipeline of technical talent, spanning from theoretical physicists to hands-on equipment technicians [2].
Industrialising Integrated Photonics
The ultimate objective of these educational frameworks is to facilitate the commercial scaling of next-generation hardware [GPT]. Integrated photonics, which utilise light rather than electricity to process data, offer significant advantages in creating highly stable and energy-efficient microchips [1]. To transition these innovations from the laboratory to the factory floor, PhotonDelta is heavily investing in regional infrastructure [1]. Brigitte Tel highlighted that significant capital has been directed towards New Origin, a facility slated to build production locations specifically for silicon nitride photonic chips [1]. This investment is part of a broader strategy encompassing approximately 40 other technology companies in the Twente region [1].
Strengthening the European Supply Chain
As the demand for processing power grows—driven by artificial intelligence and complex data analytics—the resilience of the semiconductor value chain becomes a matter of national economic security [GPT]. By integrating quantum and photonics disciplines under the umbrella of the new Learning Center, Twente is creating a centralised hub where all deep-tech talent can converge, as envisioned by Cas Damen, Saxion’s lector of Applied Nanotechnology [1]. This collaborative model ensures that academic knowledge is rapidly commercialised, securing the specialised workforce required to maintain Europe’s competitive edge in the global semiconductor landscape [1][3].