Minister Visits Cardiff-Based IQE To Discuss Semiconductor Technologies And Skills

Wireless & Optical technologies, ambitious plans to develop the world’s first Compound Semiconductor cluster, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills were just some of the areas discussed when the Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James, visited leading Cardiff-based technology company, IQE. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Minister visited the company on 3 November to find out more about how IQE is working to lead the way in this growing industry and to see the type of equipment it employs in its manufacturing processes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Julie James also discussed the high-level skills required to enhance research, development and production in this field and how through its various programmes and initiatives, including the Sêr Cymru programme, the Welsh Government is working with private industry and academia to help Wales build its STEM skills capacity. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

IQE has been at the forefront of the compound semiconductor industry for more than twenty-five years and is recognised as a leading global supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is Wales’ largest indigenous technology company, with a global presence, helping to build Wales’ reputation as a solid base for Semiconductor technology growth and industry collaboration. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Compound Semiconductors are essential components inside many of the devices changing the way we live – from WiFi, smart phones and GPS systems to satellite communications, fibre optic broadband and more efficient LED lighting. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following her visit, Julie James said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The research, development and production of the next generation of compound semiconductors could be a competitive game changer for Wales, helping to boost the country’s economic growth potential. This visit provided a fascinating insight what IQE is doing to support this vision. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Welsh Government is committed to working with industry and academia to further strengthen Wales economic potential in this fast moving industry and build our STEM skills capacity in order to grow our economy and deliver high quality job opportunities across Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​