United Microelectronics (UMC) wants to hire more than 1,000 more 1,000 engineers for its Fab 12A, a 12-inch wafer fab located at the Southern Taiwan Science Park.

According to Digitimes the expansion is all part of a cunning plan to increase 45/40nm process capacity at Fab 12A. UMC will start phase-three equipment installation at its STSP facilities this year. UMC's Fab 12A and Fab 12Ai managed 1.681 million 8-inch equivalent wafers in 2009. This compares to 1.618 million units in 2008 and 1.448 million in 2007, according to the company's last quarterly report.

The move is all part of a huge increase in output from Asian chipmakers. Many fear that there will be a shortage in supply later in the year. However Asian chipmakers are facing a huge problem in finding enough staff to fill their ambitious plans.