ASM International NV, a Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier, has opened a training center in the Tainan branch of the Southern Taiwan Science Park to train more than 100 engineers employed by its clients.
In a statement, ASM, which specializes in atomic layer deposition (ALD) and related equipment development, opened the facility on Thursday, its first training center in Taiwan.
ASM, which has a market share of more than 50 percent in the global ALD market, has had a presence in Taiwan for 16 years and has four offices — in New Taipei City ’s Linkou District (林口), Hsinchu, Taichung and Tainan — with a workforce of more than 450.
ALD refers to a layer-by-layer process that results in the deposition of thin films one atomic layer at a time in a controlled manner.
It is a critical element in coating substrates in advanced semiconductor production, which requires high precision and careful control of the thickness of the coatings.
ASM said the training center would introduce virtual-reality technologies for the first time to help trainees go beyond the boundaries of normal vision and use online courses to help them learn the intricacies of precision semiconductor equipment.
The training center represents a new milestone for the Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier in Taiwan, it said.
Dutch Representative Guido Tielman said his nation and Taiwan have played a critical role in the development of the global semiconductor industry and have built long-term exchanges as strategic partners.
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