|
Education Plus
For a job in the micro world
NAGESH PRABHU
|
Engg. graduates who want challenging and creative jobs can check out embedded and VLSI fields
|
In today’s e-world, embedded systems are present in all activities of our life. Embedded and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology designs are used in a variety of products which have almost become indispensable such as cell phones, refrigerators, computers, remote controls, calculators, microwave ovens, washing machines, automobiles, inertial guidance systems for aircraft and missiles. In fact, there is hardly any area where these systems are absent.
To tap this huge market, several institutions/centres have come up in major cities to offer courses for engineering graduates and diploma holders in embedded and VLSI designs.
Growth rate
Embedded technology means software and hardware embedded in a larger device or system to perform certain functions. Embedded and VLSI, which is part of the design industry, is currently the fastest growing sector (22 per cent) within the Information Technology field.
There are lots of job opportunities for embedded and VLSI designers both in India and abroad. According to the Indian Semiconductor Association (ISA), India with over 200 companies was on a strong growth trajectory, which is three times the global growth rate.
The total design market in India in 2007 was estimated at $ 6 billion. Eighty-one per cent of the revenue was in the area of embedded software followed by VLSI design (13 per cent) and hardware/board design (six per cent). The total workforce employed in the design service industry in India was estimated at 1.30 lakh in 2007. Of this, the bulk of the jobs were in embedded software (82 per cent) followed by VLSI design (11) and hardware/board (7). The U.S. dominates the global market with 70 per cent share, according to ISA.
Several chip designing companies have set up firms in India eyeing the domestic talent; many of the major IT firms have forayed into Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design in a big way.
Demand for jobs
Diffusion of embedded/VLSI designs in all areas has enlarged the demand for engineers who can design these systems. The industry, particularly semiconductor, is facing shortage of trained personnel due to lack of quality institutions and inadequate research faculty. By 2015, India needs 7.58 lakh VLSI, board and embedded professionals.
At present, close to 70-75 per cent of the semiconductor research activities in the technological institutes in India is concentrated in the top seven institutes — IISc, Bangalore, the five IITs and the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS), Pilani.Job opportunities are plenty in this decade-old industry. Training institutes have mushroomed in recent years in Bangalore and other cities to offer courses. But students should give serious thought while selecting the right institute. Only well-established institutes can teach the right job skills.
Well, the embedded and VLSI course is not for everyone. B.E./M.E. graduates from electronics, electrical, telecom, computer science, instrumentation technology and information technology are eligible, as also diploma holders in these branches. According to experts, nearly 75 per cent of male engineers are opting for this course which is aimed at practising embedded software engineers as well as engineers planning to enter the embedded field. The placement consultancy, which is an integral part of several institutes, helps in placing the trained students in companies. Students prefer the embedded and VLSI design courses because training in ASIC and microprocess-based embedded systems is normally not part of most undergraduate or postgraduate courses. Through specialised integrated soft-skills programmes, students learn corporate culture and ethics which they otherwise are unaware of when they come out of college. The duration of the course is five months. Admission to the first batch of students commences in May/June. There is no law to enforce uniformity in the course, fee and infrastructure.
The course content and selection process of students varies across institutes. Unfortunately, most of the institutes offer theory-oriented courses due to lack of infrastructure. Some of the factors that the students note while joining the institute are relevant course coverage, reputation of the institute in the industry, availability of infrastructure and experienced faculty. The course must cater to the industry needs and the problems/exercises being handled during the practical work.
Several institutes impart outdated curriculum that doesn’t reflect the current industry needs, says industry experts.
Advantages
The course helps candidates to strengthen their knowledge in the core domain they graduated in. Besides job offers in global companies, the course helps students to take overseas assignments.
The most rewarding aspect of a career in embedded/VLSI design is, however, the sense of ownership of what is developed. The ability to get patents and the scope available for applied research and publication make VLSI and ASIC design a dream career for many engineers.
The pay packet depends on the company’s profile. The salary for fresh candidates will be in the range of Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 3.50 lakh a year. Further, professionals in this sector get much higher annual increments compared to engineers in other fields.
What one should look for
• The institute must have good and quality updated courses in embedded, VLSI and other designs. Only a few institutes have such courses.
• Academia-industry linkages are vital. Without linkages with professionals, the institute is unlikely to offer a good course.
• The institute must have quality infrastructure such as lab and equipment to enable students to learn skills that the industry requires.
• A good placement activity in the institute helps students to get jobs without much difficulty.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
|
