Major groups in race to secure workers for future biz

By Kim Bo-eun

Major conglomerates here are in a race to hire qualified professionals for future-growth businesses such as semiconductors, batteries and electronic auto components, as they compete for a bigger slice of their respective markets to secure a dominant position.

Samsung Electronics' device solution division, SK hynix, EV battery maker Samsung SDI and LG Electronics' vehicle component division are currently hiring experienced professionals in these sectors.

Samsung's drive is backed by a pledge its imprisoned leader Lee Jae-yong made earlier for Korea's No. 1 conglomerate to faithfully carry out investments and create jobs. This is part of Samsung's vision to solidify its position as the market leader of memory chips and strengthen its non-memory chip business to become a leader in that sector by 2030.

The remarks also come at a time when competitors are stepping up their game ahead of a forecasted semiconductor super cycle driven by high demand for 5G communication chips, mobile application processors and image sensors. Taiwanese foundry chip maker TSMC has vowed to invest up to $28 billion into advanced processor technologies. SK hynix made a deal last year to acquire Intel's memory chip business for $9 billion.

Market tracker IC Insights forecasts DRAM and NAND flash memory semiconductors to be the two fastest growing chips this year. These are the main products manufactured by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

SK hynix is recruiting experienced professionals for a wide range of businesses including DRAM and image sensors.

Hiring experienced individuals is also a task for Samsung SDI, as it seeks to accelerate the growth of its EV battery business this year.

Based on the expanding market for EV batteries following strengthened environmental regulations in Europe, the U.S. and China, Samsung SDI is gearing up to achieve record profits this year. It expects its EV battery business to break even in the first quarter.

The new Gen. 5 battery, which will start being supplied in the second half of the year, is set to play a key role in driving the company's earnings in the automotive battery division.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics is speeding up the growth of its auto parts business. This comes after the company unveiled a plan in December to set up an electric car components joint venture with Canadian auto parts company Magna International. LG is also working with Qualcomm to develop 5G automotive platforms.

LG has focused on home appliances and petrochemicals. Auto parts are set to be among LG's future growth businesses, in addition to artificial intelligence and robots.

LG's component-specialized unit LG Innotek is also hiring professionals for its auto parts R&D division.