Capability 5.1.2
Skills for Building Accelerators
Definition
Specialised skills to design, fabricate, assemble and optimise the accelerator hardware that powers AI computation – across chip design, fabrication, cooling, packaging and integration into large-scale compute clusters.
Examples
- Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B) 'Building a sustainable talent pool' initiative. University courses: UNSW, MQU, RMIT, Curtin, UWA, Adelaide. Relevant Australian Research Centres of Excellence include Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, CQC²T, Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science.
Indicators
- Number of engineers trained in semiconductor, systems or accelerator hardware disciplines
- Existence and scale of domestic (accredited) training capacity
- Skills & Cirricula mapped to Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) frameworks
- Presence of articulated entry level pathways (vet/uni/professional)
- Workforce participation and diversity (gender, region, age, etc.)
- Industry collaborations and placements
- Government and public sector capability
- CPD or microcredential uptake across professions
- Ratio of skilled migrants vs domestic graduates in AI roles
National AI Plan
PLAN COMMITMENT
No commitment
Refers to access to advanced chips as an enabling infrastructure factor (Action 1), but does not include specific programs or capability development for designing, fabricating or integrating AI accelerator hardware domestically, reflecting reliance on global supply chains. Note this capability could be a point of leverage to increase assessments of Advantage for 1.2.2.1 – 1.2.2.3 (Designing, Manufacturing & Packaging Accelerators). No government commitment in the plan aligns with recommendation to maintain and monitor. However, noting the global scarcity and leverage potential of this capability, particular attention should be paid to sustain existing high agency.
Stocktake
Australia's semiconductor manufacturing moonshot: Securing semiconductor talent. Munro, Capri and Clark. ASPI. 2 November 2023. https://www.aspi.org.au/report/australias-semiconductor-manufacturing-moonshot-securing-semiconductor-talent/
Australian Semiconductor Sector study: Capabilities, opportunities and challenges for increasing NSW's participation in the global semiconductor value chain. University of Sydney Nano Institute for the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. December 2020. https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1415/Australian-Semiconductor-Sector-Study.pdf
Is the Stocktake missing evidence?
Share additional information for potential future Assessments