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40 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2019 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE Buscemi: For college students, we will be set- ting up chapters that will give students dual membership in the IPC Education Foundation and IPC. A $40 annual student membership allows students to access resources and con- tent including two free standards per year. In addition, every chapter will have the oppor- tunity for a student member to apply for a $1,000 scholarship per year. We're building out regional "ecosystems" within markets where there is a heavy concentration of IPC indus- try members. The goal is to get our industry members involved so they host events, offer company tours for students, and networking, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities. Again, the whole idea is "to see it and be it." The earn-and-learn model such as apprentice- ships and internships will be a key feature of our education programs as we grow and fur- ther enlist the support and involvement of industry members. Goldman: That's great. What feedback have you received from students and teachers today? Buscemi: We've received amazing feedback. Students and teachers have been effusive about the program. One of the schools that attended called me last week and said, "You have no idea what this means for our students. They do not get to see this." When they came in today, they were amazing. There were 20 of the brightest and most professional students dressed in suits and ties, wide-eyed and ready to go. We know that we're making a difference with this type of programming. When you can get the students out into the world, it is the best teaching you can ever do. Goldman: The sad part is it's only here in San Diego, since this is where our show is, and we don't know how to get beyond that as far as the show part. Buscemi: We have plans to grow and scale the program; it's meant to be flexible and adapt- able. Given IPC's strong national and global footprint of industry members, there's no rea- son we can't replicate what we did here in other markets. We'll be looking at replicating this program in other markets through various partners and industry members including the proliferation of IPC Student Chapters. IPC's education team. From L to R: Colette Buscemi, senior director, education programs; Charlene Gunter du Plessis, director, strategic partnerships and programs; Aaaron Birney, manager, education programs; and Brook Sandy- Smith, technical education program manager.