Stellantis and Foxconn recently formed a JV to design and sell flexible semiconductors for the global automotive industry. This enables the use of cutting-edge semiconductors across Stellantis’ all-new STLA Brain architecture.
Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, tells us more. Excerpts from an interview:
DQ: Elaborate on Stellantis and Foxconn JV. What does it aim to achieve?
Sumit Kumar: The Stellantis and Foxconn joint venture marks a significant step towards bolstering India’s position as a global semiconductor hub, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s ambitious semiconductor roadmap.
With India’s semiconductor market projected to grow to $100 billion by 2030, supported by one of the world’s most attractive incentive structures, including a $1.7 billion package under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and a $15 billion investment in three semiconductor plants under the second phase of the chip manufacturing incentive policy, this partnership assumes a crucial role.
SiliconAuto, backed by Foxconn, has strategically established its R&D center in Bengaluru, focusing on semiconductor product design and system-on-chip development for the automotive sector. Situated in a city renowned for its thriving tech ecosystem and deep talent pool, the initiative addresses the growing demand for specialized skills in the semiconductor and automotive industries while contributing significantly to job creation, skill development, and rural mobilization.
The venture will generate employment opportunities across multiple levels, including highly skilled jobs in research, design, and fabrication, as well as roles in manufacturing and testing, while also fostering upskilling initiatives to equip India’s workforce with cutting-edge semiconductor expertise.
Additionally, by expanding operations and creating supporting supply chain ecosystems in underserved and rural regions, this partnership will mobilize talent from underrepresented areas, facilitate economic opportunities, and bridge urban-rural employment gaps.
Collaborations with local educational institutions can further integrate semiconductor-related skills into skilling programs, empowering rural populations and accelerating regional development. This move also signifies a strategic shift for India, advancing its role in the semiconductor value chain from being a hub for assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) units to a center for fabrication technology and cutting-edge R&D, reflecting the immense potential the country offers for advanced semiconductor innovation.
As India propels toward its vision of becoming a $100 billion semiconductor industry by 2030, this venture will drive innovation in automotive semiconductors, stimulate economic growth, and advance the nation’s strategic goals, creating inclusive employment opportunities and enabling its workforce to lead on the global stage.
DQ: How can India develop experts and talent in semiconductors, robotics, etc.?
Sumit Kumar: As automation continues to reshape industries globally, the demand for specialized expertise in fields like semiconductors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics is growing exponentially. Automation is transforming a wide range of sectors—from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture—leading to an increasing reliance on smart devices, sensors, and advanced robotic systems.
This surge in automation has significantly driven the demand for semiconductor technologies, which are the foundation of these systems. In India, the semiconductor industry is poised for rapid growth, bolstered by government initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aiming to position India as a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.
The industrial robotics market in India is also projected to expand at a CAGR of 12-14%, reaching a value of USD 10-12 billion by 2029. Similarly, the semiconductor sector is expected to become a $100 billion industry by 2030. However, this promising expansion is accompanied by a significant skills shortage, with the semiconductor sector projected to face a shortfall of 320,000 to 350,000 professionals in the same period.
To bridge this gap and equip the workforce with necessary expertise, India must focus on talent development through apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, and work-integrated learning programs. These initiatives offer hands-on, practical experience alongside theoretical education, providing aspiring talent with the skills needed to thrive in the emerging technologies.
By aligning educational frameworks with industry demands, these programs will help cultivate a strong talent pipeline, ensuring India remains competitive in the global technology ecosystem.
DQ: Where is SiliconAuto in terms of automotive development? (Eg. L2, L3, L4)?
Sumit Kumar: The advancements SiliconAuto is making in semiconductor technology are critical to shaping the future of autonomous driving, especially as we progress towards Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (L3) autonomy. These levels of automation rely heavily on precise semiconductors that enable ADAS systems to handle key driving functions like steering, braking, and lane control.
SiliconAuto’s use of Siemens’ PAVE360 to simulate and test these technologies pre-silicon is a forward-thinking approach, accelerating innovation while ensuring these systems are safe and reliable before reaching hardware production
However, this rapid advancement underscores the urgent need for skilled talent to support these emerging technologies. As the automotive industry becomes increasingly software-driven, we are witnessing a widening talent gap, particularly in areas like AI, semiconductor design, and vehicle safety protocols.
Bridging this gap is crucial to ensuring that companies like SiliconAuto can continue to innovate at the required pace. Through structured apprenticeship programs, we can create a pipeline of skilled professionals who are not only equipped to meet today’s technical demands but are also prepared to support future advancements like Level 4 (L4) autonomy.
DQ: What are the latest trends for SoC development in 2025?
Sumit Kumar: System-on-Chip (SoC) design approach is rapidly becoming the cornerstone for creating highly integrated silicon solutions, finding applications in microprocessors, mixed-signal ICs, and advanced AI systems. With the market evolving, the adoption of chiplets is enabling heterogeneous integration, which enhances performance while optimizing costs and scalability.
In the Indian context, significant advancements in semiconductor manufacturing, research, and design are shaping the future of SoC development. Government initiatives and collaborations with global and local players are fostering an ecosystem to meet the growing demand for domestic chip manufacturing.
Additionally, advancements in memory technologies and AI integration are driving the need for specialized SoC solutions in sectors like consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial automation. However, this transformation underscores the urgent need for skilling a workforce capable of addressing these advanced demands.
With the increasing complexity of design, manufacturing, and integration processes, there is a pressing requirement for concerted efforts to upskill talent, particularly in areas like electronic design automation, semiconductor fabrication, and AI-enabled hardware development.
Bridging this skills gap will be essential for India to fully capitalize on the opportunities in the global semiconductor value chain and solidify its position as a key player in the SoC domain.
DQ: What are the latest trends for software development in 2025?
Sumit Kumar: India’s software development arena is undergoing transformative changes, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), low-code platforms, cybersecurity, cloud-native development, and emerging technologies like blockchain and quantum computing.
The integration of AI and machine learning (ML) is streamlining processes such as code generation and quality assurance, while low-code and no-code platforms are democratizing development, enabling rapid digital transformation.
Cloud-native architectures and microservices are enhancing scalability and resilience, and blockchain is providing robust solutions for security and transparency in areas like smart contracts and data management.
However, the growing sophistication of cyber threats poses significant challenges, as evidenced by the over 300 million malware attacks India faced in 2024. This underscores the critical need for robust DevSecOps practices.
Additionally, sustainability in software design and the rise of progressive web applications (PWAs) are shaping the future of development. The demand for AI/ML talent has seen a staggering 400% rise, reflecting the urgency for a workforce skilled in these advanced technologies. To address these trends and challenges, work-based learning programs are pivotal in preparing a future-ready workforce.
These programs integrate real-world exposure with academic learning, equipping individuals with practical skills in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and innovative development methodologies. As the demand for skilled professionals grows, such initiatives are essential for bridging the talent gap, fostering expertise in cutting-edge areas, and ensuring India remains competitive in the rapidly evolving global software market.
DQ: What specific roles and skill sets will be in highest demand as a result of SiliconAuto’s focus on semiconductor and automotive technology innovations?
Sumit Kumar: The focus on advancements in semiconductor and automotive technology is driving significant demand for specialized roles and skill sets, particularly in areas that combine electronics, software development, and automotive engineering.
Key roles, such as analog and digital design engineers, embedded systems developers, and automotive software engineers require expertise in semiconductor design, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and automotive communication protocols like CAN and LIN.
The rapid growth of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions is creating demand for machine learning engineers, sensor fusion specialists, and ADAS engineers, with skills in computer vision, sensor technologies, and AI frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.
The increasing integration of complex systems also highlights the need for system-on-chip (SoC) architects, and firmware engineers, proficient in hardware-software co-design and integration. With the growing importance of cyber security in connected vehicles, roles like cyber security analysts and penetration testers are in high demand, requiring knowledge of cryptographic protocols and compliance with global automotive cyber security standards.
Additionally, validation engineers and test automation experts are crucial for ensuring system reliability and safety through advanced testing methodologies, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) environments. These evolving roles emphasize the critical need for interdisciplinary skills and continuous learning, positioning professionals to meet the demands of an industry at the forefront of technological innovation.
DQ: In what ways can apprenticeship programs help bridge the skills gap in emerging technologies, such as electric vehicles, connected cars, and autonomous driving?
Sumit Kumar: Apprenticeship programs can emerge as a lynchpin in addressing the skills gap in transformative automotive technologies By combining academic learning with hands-on industry experience, apprenticeships equip individuals with practical expertise in areas like battery technology, vehicle connectivity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, which are critical for driving innovation in the automotive sector.
The significance of apprenticeships is underscored by their remarkable growth in the last three years, particularly in the automotive sector, where the number of apprentices grew from 82,932 in 2021-22 to 126,043 in 2022-23, and further surged to 197,913 in 2023-24, reflecting an impressive annual growth rate of approximately 54%.
This growth not only highlights the increasing reliance of the industry on apprenticeship programs, but also emphasizes their potential to serve as an innovative solution to workforce readiness. As the automotive industry evolves rapidly, the need for specialized skills has become more urgent, particularly in emerging domains like EV manufacturing, autonomous system integration, and connected vehicle technology.
Apprenticeships can help address this challenge by fostering real-world proficiency, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry requirements, and ensuring that the workforce remains future-ready to meet the growing demands of the industry