Project Description

Semefab work experience

Three of Glenrothes’ young people are currently undertaking summer work experience placements at Semefab.

Semefab has been in operation in Glenrothes since 1986 and is a silicon wafer foundry operation, manufacturing microelectronics and Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS).

Each year, Semefab runs its ‘Dr John Bruce Memorial Awards’ where it celebrates excellence in STEM subjects for S4, S5 and S6 pupils across Glenrothes, Auchmuty and Glenwood High Schools.

The awards were introduced in honour of Semefab’s late director, Dr John Bruce, himself a lover of STEM subjects. As well as marking his memory, the awards aim to promote STEM subjects and related careers and spark an interest in our local young people.

As well as receiving a trophy, the winners of the award are given a cash prize and the offer to take up paid summer work experience, working at Semefab’s vast production facility in Glenrothes.

Ciara McCulloch, who attended Auchmuty High School, was one of the award winners last year and took up the summer placement before heading off to the University of Edinburgh to study Biomedical Science.

Ciara had such a successful time during her placement last summer that she has come back this summer and has since been offered a permanent part-time position at Semefab which she intends on staying in until she finishes her studies.

Craig McGowan, another of Auchmuty’s award winners last year, was too young to undertake the work experience at the time but has come back this summer to gain valuable experience working in both the Quality Assurance and Probe and Test departments at Semefab.

Craig said:

“I was so pleased to still be able to take up the opportunity for work experience here a year later. It is such a positive and friendly environment to work in. I was a bit worried about coming in at first because I’m still so young, but I was worrying for nothing. Everyone is so welcoming and kind, they’ve really gone out of their way to make sure I get the most from the experience.”

Jacqueline McMillan is first pupil to take up the opportunity from Glenwood High School and will begin studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh in September. She said of the experience:

“This has been my first work experience and I’ve loved every second of it. Working in the fabs has allowed me to pick up so many transferable skills from working on different machines and making sure I’m working to the specifications set out by the engineers.”

Semefab has long supported the work of DYW Fife through providing funding to buy Lego League items and iPads for departments across the Glenrothes schools, as well as the ongoing Dr John Bruce Memorial Awards. George Smith, Production Manager at Semefab said:

“We love having the young people come in and get a first-hand taste of what working for a company such as Semefab is like. We like to give them exposure to as many of our different departments as possible. For us, it’s not just about getting the award winners in for work experience, we’d also like to do more to get those who are less engaged with school in for tours and work experience. For us, it’s about setting up Fife’s young people to have the most successful start in their career as possible.”