Learnovate, EudaOrg play key role in €1.5m EU DEI project for semiconductor sector
The Learnovate Centre in Trinity College Dublin is one of three Irish organisations playing a key role in a €1.5 million EU initiative to lower the barrier to participation in the European semiconductor sector for women and other under-represented groups.
The European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) project brings together a consortium of 11 partner organisations from industry and education with the aim of helping the sector retain and grow its existing workforce by developing a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across its entire value chain.
Talent attraction and retention remains a challenge in the EU chips sector, with skills shortages creating additional pressures in terms of maintaining supply and global competitiveness. Researchers believe that widening access to the sector for women, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities, and bridging the distance between university and the workplace, will help satisfy industry demands.
Alongside partners from Germany, Italy, Netherlands, France, and Slovakia, the Erasmus+ co-funded project – which was launched in April this year – is supported by three Irish organisations: Learnovate; DEI consultancy and software provider EudaOrg; and MIDAS, an industry-led cluster that includes educational, research and government agencies.
The three-year project will run in three stages: data collection and analysis, the development of a DEI suite of training and operational tools and an industry trial leading to the establishment of DEI leadership and mentorship programmes.
The Learnovate Centre is a global expert in learning technology helping organisations navigate the complexity of the evolving future of work and learning. Based at Trinity College Dublin, Learnovate helps organisations transform learning experiences in the workplace, schools, universities, and at home. It has led more than 10 years of research in learning technologies.
Learnovate’s primary role in ECDA is to contribute to the development, validation and quality control of training topics and learning content around DEI in the semiconductor sector. Learnovate will also facilitate a structured and innovative approach to establishing learner journey maps, so the experience of all learning stakeholders is captured and enhanced where necessary.
EudaOrg is a member organisation of Learnovate. Founded in 2021 by psychologists and experts in organisational change Nessa Maguire and Allison Kuschel, EudaOrg provides consultancy and advisory services in DEI to commercial companies and delivers sectoral assessments. EudaOrg also offers software packages that allow companies of all sizes to take DEI assessments and develop action plans to implement effective data-driven DEI policies.
Its role in ECDA is to conduct surveys and interviews with executives and other senior leaders within the European semiconductor industry. The findings of these interviews will later inform the development of the suite of DEI training tools.
Learnovate Centre director Nessa McEniff said: “The European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) project represents an exciting opportunity for Learnovate and EudaOrg, one of our member organisations, to play a central role in futureproofing a key sector in the European economy. All sectors are affected by skills shortages, and issues around retention and recruitment of staff, but very few sectors are so fundamental to the continued functioning of our everyday lives. We are excited to work with our partners on the ECDA and look forward to seeing its results throughout the project’s three-year term.”
EudaOrg co-founder and CEO Nessa Maguire said: “Through ECDA’s collaboration with the sector and focus on understanding the sector’s needs and challenges, it is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful action over the coming years. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a crucial element in addressing talent shortages in the sector and ensuring a resilient and strong sector in Europe.”
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