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From Nora Miethke & Verena Belzer
In its last meeting before the state elections on Tuesday, the Saxon cabinet gave the green light for the Microelectronics Training Cluster (SAM). The common goal is to secure the emerging demand for skilled workers in the semiconductor industry. Up to 1,000 training places are to be made available from the 2028/29 training year.
The industry network Silicon Saxony e.V. predicts that the number of employees in the microelectronics sector will rise from around 80,000 at present to over 100,000 by 2030. This means an additional 3,000 workers will be needed each year.
One third of the demand is to be covered by increased training. To achieve this, the state wants to modernize and expand existing training facilities. This alone is not enough, as chip manufacturers generally do not allow apprentices into their clean rooms, the heart of highly sensitive production. This is why there is an additional need for new training rooms, laboratories and a clean room that can also be used for further training. This new training campus for microtechnologists is to be built in Radeberg.
75 million euros are to be invested in the new building directly at Radeberg station. The Free State intends to use funding from the European Regional Development Fund for this. It is also examining whether structural strengthening funds for the coal phase-out can also be used. "The financing is secured," emphasized Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig.
The decision to locate the plant in Radeberg was a conscious one. "In doing so, we are ensuring that the positive effects of semiconductor development reach the Dresden region directly," continued the SPD politician. As an elementary component of Silicon Saxony, the skilled trades and SMEs should benefit from the investments of global corporations.
City of Radeberg must acquire land
For the town of Radeberg, the establishment of the training center means one thing above all: the previously derelict Eschebach site, the town's major eyesore, will be further upgraded. The SAM will require around 8,000 to 10,000 square meters of space - slightly less than the new Humboldt High School branch, which is being built in the immediate vicinity.
The city still has to negotiate the acquisition with the owners of the land, Weimar entrepreneur Josef Saller and the Radeberger Exportbierbrauerei. Both owners have signaled their support for the project, it was reported. The city council is involved in the process. "This is a gain for our city," says Lord Mayor Frank Höhme.
"I expect the move to increase the attractiveness of the city center and the entire city." The move is "the right message for the entire region at this time. We are getting fit for the future".
Training of mechatronics engineers in Kesselsdorf
One of the training facilities to be modernized and expanded is the mechatronics training facility at Metall- und Elektroausbildungs GmbH (MEA) in Kesselsdorf. An investment of 48 million has been budgeted for this, which Saxony intends to finance via a federal program.
The new vocational training center for microtechnologists announced on Monday will cover the theoretical part of the training, while the training facilities in Radeberg and Kesselsdorf will cover the practical part. It will be run by Chipakademie Dresden, an educational service provider for the chip industry.
In order to fill the 1,000 training places each year, it is necessary to advertise at home and abroad. To this end, a new umbrella structure is to be created in close cooperation between industry, chambers of commerce and associations as well as educational service providers. It will be responsible for targeted recruitment and external marketing, organized via Silicon Saxony.
