Building a talent pipeline for photonic integrated circuits (Invited Paper)

Photonic integrated circuits (PIC) have become the backbone of modern telecom infrastructure, and are a key driving force for future sensing, communication, display, and computing systems. The rapid growth of this technology is creating demand for a rapidly expanding and correspondingly skilled workforce. Conventional education programs offered by universities cover foundational, systematic understanding for device physics and circuit implementations, but often provides limited hands-on experience. In contrast, many practical skills including circuit design, foundry processes, testing, packaging, remain less accessible and less structured. This creates a growing skill gap. Addressing the gap requires targeted training programs for the PIC value chain. This presentation introduces training development efforts at TU Eindhoven, covering key existing activities in the JePPIX ecosystem. New projects including Phortify and DECIDE are then highlighted in the context of how they support the PIC value chain and contribute to focus areas like manufacturing and testing. In addition, executive-level business trainings aim to stimulate entrepreneurship, investment, and informed policymaking. Together, these programs form a coordinated training landscape that strengthens the talent pipeline supporting the growth of the Dutch and European PIC industry.